HERBERT HASKEL GLASSMAN


b. March 29, 1919 Boston, Massachusetts
d. March 22, 2003
Spouse: Anne S. Glassman
Children: Elsa J., Karin M., Jack I.

--- Son of Jacob (“Jack”) and Jennie Rose (Levine). Siblings: Melvin, Elliott, Pearl.
- Grew up in Dorchester-Mattapan; became active in local politics.
- Graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School, 1937.
- Enrolled at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), 1937-38.
- Returned to Boston during his father’s extended illness; enrolled in classes at Boston Architectural Club.
- Awarded Honorable Mention in 1940 “Pick-Ups” Competition for his design of a radio transmitter station.
- Awarded Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Special Student Scholarship, 1941; entered MIT as a Senior, 1941-42 year.
- At end of spring semester, MIT Class of ‘42 engaged by U.S. Government to lend technical expertise to the war effort; HHG traveled to Washington, D.C. to work for U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Earned “Top Secret” classification while preparing defense mapping.
- Bachelor of Architecture from MIT, 1943.
- Enlisted in Army Air Force (USAAF) as Flight Cadet, 1943. Basic training at Camp Mackall, NC. Reclassified as Photo-Interpreter and sent to an Air Commando Squadron; spotted and charted glider landing areas and paratroop drop zones. Sedalia Army Air Field, MI.
- Post-graduate work at Catholic University, George Washington University; Certificate in Structures.
- Walked away from glider crash during training, but hospitalized one month later for internal injuries; Medical Board Discharge, 1944.
- Employed by H. P. Hood & Sons Dairy, architectural division; supervisor’s sudden illness left him in charge of design of world’s largest sour cream and cottage cheese manufacturing plant. Also designed tall steel “milk bottle” sign identifying Charlestown, Mass. plant (which replaced old wooden “bottle” -- moved to Museum Wharf).
- When licensed, was youngest Registered Architect in Massachusetts, MA #358.
- Co-founder, Glassman & McMahon, Lowell, MA. Designed modern residences and retail storefronts.
- Joined Perley F. Gilbert Associates, Lowell, MA, 1947. Partner-in-charge, architectural division, 1949-59; Vice-President, 1950-59; President, 1959-84. Responsible for design of approx. 112 school buildings throughout New England, 10 synagogues and 4 hospitals. Significant works included schools in East Jaffrey, NH, Springfield, VT, Attleboro, MA, Portsmouth, NH, Sterling (MA) High School, Brockton (MA) High School, Ayer (MA), Acton (MA) and Maynard (MA) Educational Parks, Lowell Technological Institute student union and high-rise dormitory, Temple Isaiah (Lexington, MA).
- Married Anne, June 20, 1948.
- Numerous awards from American Association of School Administrators.
- Elected Fellow, International Institute of Arts and Letters, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, 1960.
- Visiting lecturer, U. Mass. State College, Framingham, 1959-72.
- Founding member, New England Chapter, Society of Architectural Historians.
- Vice-President, Temple Isaiah, 1966-68.
- Selected for listing in Who’s Who in America, 1971, for accomplishments in creating environments for learning and for development of Educational Parks concept.
- Volunteer activity at Boston Architectural Center (BAC), 1947-2003: design critic, 1947-49; Vice-President, School of Architecture, 1973-77; President, 1977-80; Chairman, Honors and Awards Committee, 1984-2002; also, President of Alumni Association and membership on numerous committees. Instrumental in decision to erect new building on Newbury Street, in Back Bay. As President, facilitated BAC’s accreditation as a professional degree-granting institution. Co-founded BAC Tours Committee with Anne Glassman in 1978, which organized affordable and memorable architectural study tours to Italy, France, England, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Turkey, Egypt and other destinations, over the course of 20 years.
- Principal Architect, Gale Associates, Weymouth, MA, 1984-91.
- Director, KFP Architects, 1995-96.
- Member, American Institute of Architects, Massachusetts State Association of Architects, Construction Specifications Institute, National Trust for Historic Preservation, B’nai B’rith.