J. Prentiss Browne

Concept Design Artwork for the Donnelly Science Center © Estate of J. Prentiss Browne. Located in the Loyola Notre Dame Archives and Special Collections.

Browne was born in Baltimore in 1921, died on May 22, 2005 at the age of 84. He attended the Polytechnic Institute and graduated from Johns Hopkins University. After graduating, he worked at the Glenn L. Martin Co. aircraft plant during the beginning of World War II, until he joined the Marine Corps. He was stationed in Okinawa during the United States occupation of Japan. He designed numerous buildings throughout Maryland, most of them schools and academic buildings, including Loyola University’s Donnelly Science Center. The Donnelly Science Center was one of his most well-known designs because during the time of its construction, it was a topic of debate. The site for the building was viewed as untouchable green space. However, Browne and then, Loyola College, agreed on the plans and the Building was constructed in 1978.^[1]

Donnelly Science Center

The science center started construction in spring of 1978 and was completed by the fall of 1978. The $3.9 million building was dedicated on December 3, 1978, and named after Edward J. Donnelly, the largest private donor. The 60,000 square foot building included 25 laboratories, 5 classrooms, offices, and computer facilities. The four story building, with three floors above the grade was built on the corner of North Charles Street and Cold Spring Lane.^[2]

Finished Donnelly Science Center Loyola Notre Dame Library Archives and Special Collections

Although the college was excited for the new science center, there was concern about the destruction of the green space and trees on campus. According to Browne, the construction of the center "would not require the cutting of more than a half-dozen of the graceful, mature trees that dot the corner’s hillside."^[3] Another concern from the Loyola College community was the want for a formal entrance. The new science center would replace the signboard that was located on Charles Street and would be the largest building on campus.

Retirement and restoration

After he retired in 1982, Browne helped restore historic sites around Maryland. He became a board member and eventually became president of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House & Museum. At the age of 76, he oversaw the renovation of the museum.^[4]

References

1. Bor, Jonathan (May 29, 2005). "J. Prentiss Browne, 84, architect noted for Loyola science center". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
2. "Log In - ProQuest". Retrieved 2016-02-11.
3. "Log In - ProQuest". Retrieved 2016-02-11.
4. Buote, Brenda (March 4, 1997). "Historic Flag House gets 2-month face lift Museum: The tourist attraction has been renovated to show how the widow Mary Young Pickersgill lived in the early 1800s.". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 8 February 2016.