Norman Morrison Isham

The core of the Isham collection are the notebooks he used in the field to analyze and to record over 600 houses he surveyed. The notebooks include sketches and measurements of floor plans, construction, framing details, elevations and descriptions.  Because of the importance of this documented information, Isham's collection deserves the attention of historians, scholars and students who are interested in early American art.

FRAMING DETAILS
Measured and drawn by Norman M. Ishan

         By the time Isham was 31, he had accumulated enough material to co-write with Albert F.
         Brown (1862-1909) the celebrated book, "Early Rhode Island Houses," which was
         published in 1895. An instant success, it was called the most valuable historical architectural
         treatise to appear in America. This book was followed by the equally notable "Early
       "Connecticut  Houses,"published in 1900. Over the years Isham continued to write
         books and articles for various scholarly publications

         Isham was also consultant or director for restoration works in Rhode Island, New England,
         and states beyond.  His restoration work in Rhode Island  includes the Stephen Hopkins
         House in Providence, the Redwood Library, Trinity Church and Old Colony House in
         Newport, the Eleazer Arnold House in Lincoln and the Gilbert Stuart birthplace in North
         Kingstown.  He also worked in New York city at the Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan
         Museum of Art where he was in charge of the Colonial Rooms.