Frederick Graff Drawings

Nine drawings of a three-story building designed by Frederick Graff, including front elevations, ground plan, plan of the principal story, plan of the second story, first floor joist plan, second floor joist plan, attic joist plan and roof elevation, roof framing, and elevation of the roof truss. The illustrations were done in 1806 and might have been drawn for the Branch Bank, Norfolk, Virginia.

Frederick Graff was an engineer and architect. Born August 27, 1774, in Philadelphia, he was the son of Maria Shinkle and Jacob Graff, Jr., and the third in a line of American builders, contractors, and engineers. In 1797, Graff apprenticed with Benjamin Latrobe, working as a draftsman for the Philadelphia waterworks erected at Centre Square; in 1805 he became superintendent. When this system no longer served the increasing needs of the city, Graff was instrumental in the transfer of the waterworks to the Fairmount location. Graff contributed to its success for the remainder of his life, remaining chief engineer until his death in 1847. The Philadelphia waterworks was the first steam powered waterworks in the United States. It was noted for its efficient hydraulic system developed by Graff with practically no data on which to base his calculations. Graff designed the waterworks' neoclassical buildings as well as its machinery.