August 26, 2026 — The Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) is set to open a new exhibition devoted to the life and work of pioneering architect Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980), highlighting his Memphis roots and prolific career.
Opening Aug. 29, the “Paul Revere Williams, American Architect” exhibition presents more than 200 photographs depicting his work. Williams was the first documented African American member of the American Institute of Architects.
AMUM’s early interest in Williams stems from his ties to Memphis. Williams designed the original St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a five-pointed star-shaped building that has been lost as the complex has grown. His parents were from Memphis, where his father worked as waiter at the Peabody Hotel before moving his family to Los Angeles.
Williams’ practice made a significant impact on the architecture of his time. He shaped modern multifamily housing and urban communities in Los Angeles and conducted projects for the Beverly Hills Hotel, U.S. Navy and private residences of Hollywood stars, including Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball.
David Horan, photo professor; Leslie Luebbers, AMUM director and exhibition curator; and Chris Fitzgerald, student photographer, traveled for two years to capture many of his homes and buildings. The photographs convey Williams’ mastery of detail and choreography of space and natural light.
After Williams death, his office communications, contracts and schedules were destroyed by a fire, and his design plans lay in private hands.
“Without existing visual material to exhibit, we decided to create our own. During three hectic trips in 2009-10, our exploration unit drove throughout Southern California, Nevada and Chautauqua, N.Y., hauling two trunks of photo paraphernalia to scheduled appointments interspersed with ‘drive-by’ shoots of dozens of other Williams’ buildings,” Luebbers said.
The exhibition at AMUM is open and free to the public Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and will run through Saturday, Oct. 10.
“Paul R. Williams, American Architect” draws upon the holdings of the Paul Revere Williams Project (University of Memphis). The Paul R. Williams Project began in early 2006 in partnership with the Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as part of an initiative launched by the national AIA in honor of the organizations’ 150th anniversary. AIA Memphis, the Memphis chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture (NOMA), and the University of Memphis’ Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change were active partners in the project.
“Without existing visual material to exhibit, we decided to create our own. During three hectic trips in 2009-10, our exploration unit drove throughout Southern California, Nevada and Chautauqua, N.Y., hauling two trunks of photo paraphernalia to scheduled appointments interspersed with ‘drive-by’ shoots of dozens of other Williams’ buildings,” Luebbers said.
The exhibition at AMUM is open and free to the public Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and will run through Saturday, Oct. 10.
“Paul R. Williams, American Architect” draws upon the holdings of the Paul Revere Williams Project (University of Memphis). The Paul R. Williams Project began in early 2006 in partnership with the Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as part of an initiative launched by the national AIA in honor of the organizations’ 150th anniversary. AIA Memphis, the Memphis chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture (NOMA), and the University of Memphis’ Benjamin Hooks Institute for Social Change were active partners in the project.
Media Contact:
Jessica Gertler
jgwbster@memphis.edu
