Honoring
Portrait of Ed White, photographed by Allen Ginsberg. Photo courtesy of The Denver Public Library, Western History Collection, RMN-051-5102.
Ed White (1925 - 2017) was a prominent Denver architect and the designer of Denver Botanic Gardens' iconic Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. White also had a personal connection to the Gardens - in 1955 he married Anne Waring, the daughter of dedicated Gardens supporters Ruth Porter Waring and Dr. James J. Waring, and the donors of the Gardens' historic Waring House.
The Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory at Denver Botanic Gardens
In 1960 White joined forces with Victor Hornbein, a highly-respected figure in contemporary architecture, and created the architectural firm Hornbein & White. The firm's first great accomplishment, and one of their most recognizable buildings, was Denver Botanic Gardens' Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory built in 1966.
1963 concept drawing of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory
Ed White's enduring legacy can be seen in the iconic Denver architecture to which he contributed, including the University of Colorado Medical Center and the Colorado Women's College (now Johnson & Wales University). White's work is also visible in the many historic Denver buildings that were preserved through his efforts and leadership.
Victor Hornbein, Ed White, and then-Director of Denver Botanic Gardens Aubrey Hildreth shortly after the construction of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory.
In addition to his remarkable architectural achievements, Ed White also had a profound impact on literature. Close friends with noted Beat author Jack Kerouac, White suggested that Kerouac carry a notebook to record observations and thoughts. Kerouac adopted White's suggestion, a practice that contributed to the development of his signature, spontaneous writing style. Kerouac memorialized Ed White in the character of Tim Gray in On the Road.
Ed White, left, and Tom Livornese played it straight, center, while Jack Kerouac pretends to sleep in a 1955 photo taken in White's Denver home. Photo courtesy of The Denver Public Library, Western History Collection, RMN-051-5088.
 |
 |
 |