Joy Wheeler Dow

Joy Wheeler Dow (July 18, 1860 – February 7, 1937) was an American self-taught architect, artist and author.

Early life

Dow was born in Greenwich Village, New York City, the son of Augustus F. and Sarah Wheeler Dow. Born Joseph Wheeler Dow, he changed his name at age 21 to 'Joy Wheeler Dow'. Dow was primarily an architect, artist and author, and was an authority on Colonial architecture. He designed the Playhouse at Kennebunkport, the ideal Meeting house at Summit, N. J., and many homes in Essex County, New Jersey. (Change to father's name, mother's name, Joy Dow's name, and date of birth.)

Career

A self-taught architect, Dow moved to Millburn, New Jersey in 1878. Most of his early work was done in the Wyoming Section of Millburn and Summit, NJ. The Unitarian Church in (1912) in Summit is considered his best NJ work.

He was a charter member of the New Jersey Society of Architects, which later became the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1965.

Homes designed and built by Dow can be found in Short Hills, New Jersey, Millburn, New Jersey: Canterbury Keys – built 1894, Princessgate – built 1896, Eastover – built 1898, The Rabbitt House – built circa 1900, others Robinwood – built 1908.

As an author Dow is most well known for his book on American Renaissance. He also contributed to The Book of a Hundred Houses: A Collection of Pictures, Plans and Suggestions for Householder. Publisher: H.S. Stone & Co., 1902. His correspondence is archived at Maine State Library.

Personal life

Dow married Elizabeth Goodchild in 1904. They had two sons, congressman John G. Dow and Joy Wheeler Dow, Jr.