Robert Seyfarth Family Collection

Identity elements

Reference code

US ILfC SC/073

Level of description

Collection

Title

Robert Seyfarth Family Collection

Date(s)

Extent

1 box

Name of creator

(1878-1950)

Biographical history

Robert E. Seyfarth was born in Blue Island, Illinois to Clara and Edward Seyfarth. Seyfarth studied architecture at the Chicago Manual Training School and graduated in 1895. For the next three years, Seyfarth worked for August Fiedler in the Architect’s Department of the Chicago School Board. In 1898, Seyfarth took a job with architect George W. Maher.

In 1903, Seyfarth married Nellie Martin. The couple had three sons, Robert Jr., Hugh and John.

In 1909 Seyfarth opened his own practice. He moved to Highland Park, Illinois in 1911, where he built more than 70 homes. Seyfarth is mostly known for his residential architecture along the North Shore.

Seyfarth was a member of the Chicago Architectural Club.

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Scope and content

This collection contains newspaper clippings, including those about Robert Seyfarth's death, his son Robert Jr. and his wife, Mary Hays Seyfarth, as well as the Brewster Shirt Factory.

Additionally, the collection contains documents and correspondence to Mary K. Seyfarth (Robert Sr's granddaughter), regarding her grandfather and her career as an artist.

The collection also features family photographs and brochures for Robert Seyfarth home tours.

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Languages of the material

  • English

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