Graham Erskine Records

Graham Erskine, a native of New York, was born on March 5, 1911, to Pauline Ives and John Erskine. He received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in architecture from Columbia University. In 1938, he was awarded his doctor of architecture degree from the University of Rome, Italy.

In 1946, Erskine moved to Reno to obtain a divorce and found temporary work with the architect, Lehman “Monk” Ferris. His first assignment was to produce preliminary designs for Reno High School; those designs were selected by the School Board which led to Ferris offer Erskine a permanent position with the firm in Reno. In 1957, Erskine became Ferris’ partner, founding the firm Ferris and Erskine (which changed its name to Ferris, Erskine, and Calef in the early 1960s). From 1970-1983 Erskine was partner with Esley D. Harden in the firm Erskine and Harden Architects, and, from 1984 until his death, sole owner of Graham Erskine Architect.

Graham Erskine was the author of Nevada’s licensing act for architects which was enacted in 1947 and strengthened every year until it became in Erskine’s mind, “one of the best registration laws among the fifty states” (Adkins 1990). He also founded the northern Nevada chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and taught architectural design at the University of Nevada, Reno, from 1954-1956.

Erskine's practice consisted primarily of commercial and institutional buildings in and around Reno and Carson City, rather than residences. As examples of his diversity, he designed Reno and Hug High Schools, Harold's Club, the Nevada Legislative Building, additions to St. Mary's Hospital, the College of Education building at the University of Nevada, Reno, the Nevada Employment Security Division administration building in Carson City, the administration building for Bell Telephone Company of Nevada in Reno, many First Interstate and First National Banks in Reno, and the Senior Citizens’ Center in Reno.

A memorial endowed scholarship fund was established in honor of Graham Erskine by the Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The scholarship fund supports undergraduate students in the Architecture Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Erskine died in Reno, Nevada on April 23, 1991.

[Source: Richard D. Adkins, “Oral History Interview with Graham Erskine.” Nevada Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, 1990, p.4. Manuscript available in the UNR Special Collections Department.]