Charles Raith Architectural drawings, 1977-1985
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Raith, Charles, 1952-
Title: Architectural drawings, 1977-1985
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 3 rolls
Location Number: Mss. AR R161
Biographical Note
Initially born in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 7th, 1952, Charles Raith first came to Louisville with his family in 1970 where he soon graduated from Westport High School as part of the class of 1971. Though not native to Louisville, Raith quickly became active in his new home, and was a member of the National Honors Society and Student Council at Westport before moving on to the University of Cincinnati, where he received his architectural degree in 1977.
Upon finishing his degree and returning to Louisville, Raith began a prolific career in the city, working for the Jefferson County Fiscal Court from 1977 to 1978. He then moved on to work with Bickel-Gibson Associates from 1978-190, before finding employment with the Louisville Metro Government’s Department of Housing between 1980 and 1984 and joining the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1982. Raith went on to run his own firm from 1984-1986 and also went on to work with the Weyland Kramer Group as well as Louis & Henry Group, Inc.
In 1981, Charles Raith met his partner, LGBT+ Episcopal activist Samuel Dorr. Together, they were very involved with the Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, and some of Raith’s notable works include renovations to the Cathedral, beginning in the early 80s and stretching into the 2000s, where he served as the design committee chairman as late as 2001.
During their 40 years together, the couple traveled around the world as part of Raith’s involvement in the AIA and Dorr’s activist work. In May 2009 the two were married in Burlington, Iowa, and in 2015 their marriage was finally recognized in their home of Kentucky.
References:
Holmberg, Jim, et. al, Filson Historical Society, Dorr-Raith Acquisition Proposal, September 10, 2021.
Adams, Brent, “Church building keeps construction firms busy,” Louisville Business First, May 14, 2001, bizjournals.com/Louisville/stories/2001/05/14/story6.html.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains architectural drawings created by Charles Raith, specifically related to the renovation of Christ Church Cathedral at 421 S. Second St. and the Jefferson County Courthouse, both in Louisville, Kentucky.
Rolls 1 & 2 are plans for renovations to the Christ Church Cathedral. Roll 1 pertains specifically to the Chancel, while Roll 2 relates to renovations for the Memorial Chapel. These drawings include preliminary concepts for remodeling of the chancel which date back to 1981.
Roll 3 contains section drawings from a 1977 project to remodel the Jefferson County Courthouse. These include concept drawings for the building’s exterior alongside an early rough draft.
Related Collections:
Charles Raith Papers (017×5)
Dorr-Raith Family Papers (Mss. A D716b)
Dorr-Raith Family Photographs (021PC40)
Folder List
Roll 1: Christ Church Cathedral Chancel Renovations, 1981, 1985
Roll 2: Christ Church Cathedral Memorial Chapel, 1985
Roll 3: Jefferson County Courthouse Renovations, 1977
Subject Headings
Architecture – Designs and plans.
Architecture – Kentucky – Louisville.
Church architecture – Kentucky – Louisville.
Ecclesiastical architecture.
Jefferson County Courthouse (Louisville, Ky.)
Louisville (Ky.) – Buildings, structures, etc.
Religious architecture – Kentucky – Louisville.
