Gargoyle Club records

The Gargoyle Club was officially incorporated in St. Paul, MN in 1913 by a group of architects and draftsmen who looked for a setting in which to meet to further the social and cultural aspects of their professions. There was not, at the time, a local chapter of the professional society, the American Institute of Architects. Over the years the membership of the club has waxed and waned, with two world wars and an economic depression cutting into the ability of the members to sustain activities, but the organization has recovered and is still in existence in 2005.

During the early years the Gargoyle Club provided classes, presentations and ateliers in which the younger members had opportunities to learn about art and culture relating to the architectural profession. The members also participated in many civic events such as the St. Paul Winter Carnival, dances and other festivities.

In 1929 the Club first began discussion of offering a prize, to be known as the Gargoyle Club Prize, awarded to a student in the architecture course at the University of Minnesota. The Club stipulated that the prize money was to be used to "provide something of permanent value as a remembrance of the honor accorded", with the requests that the funds be used ot purchase architectural books that would form the foundation of a professional architectural library for the honoree.

Officers and members of this club have included such prominent local architects as Clarence H. Johnston, Edwin H. Lundie, Beaver Wade Day, Thomas G. Holyoke, Leon Arnal, Magnus Jemne and others.