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'''Eugene W. Munson''' was a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]] and lecturer for the [[Krotona in Hollywood|Krotona Institute of Theosophy]].
'''Irving Kane Pond''' (1857-1939) and his brother Allen Bartlitt Pond (1858–1929)
 
 


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
[[File:Irving_Kane_Pond,_1876.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Irving Kane Pond, 1876]]


On [[November 9]], 1877, Eugene Munson was born in Marshall, California to Miron Munson and Fannie Aldrich Munson.<ref>1926 Passenger list...........</ref> He had two older sisters and one younger brother. By 1880, the family had moved to Spokane, Washington.<ref>1880 United States Federal Census.</ref> Little is known of the life of Miron, but by 1900, Fannie had remarried to Joseph E. Cohenhour. They lived in Chicago with three of the children, including Eugene, who at age 23 was working as an electrician.<ref>1900 United States Federal Census.</ref>
== Architectural work ==


At some point Eugene moved to Roswell, Idaho, a small town near Boise, where he was part owner of a general store, and regarded as "one of the  substantial citizens of that community."<ref>"A Roswell Wedding" ''Caldwell Tribune'' 29 (August 1, 1908): 2.</ref> On August 1, 1908, he married Mattie Doll of Saugatuck, Michigan, and they moved into a well-furnished bungalow.
=== Training and early work ===


Mr. Munson died on [[October 31]], 1952 in Los Angeles.<ref>1952 California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997.</ref>
=== Philosophy and style ===
<blockquote>
The Ponds sought to create a modern American architecture without rejecting architectural stylistic traditions, but simplifying them through the emphasis of geometry and the inherent quality of building materials and construction. In that regard, the Ponds were strongly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, with the emphasis on honest materials used honestly.<ref>David Swan, Preface to ''The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond: The Sons of Mary and Eliihu'' ed.David Swan and Terry Tatum (Oak Park, Ill: The Hyoogen Press, 2009), vii.</ref>
</blockquote>


== Theosophical Society activities ==
Strong sense of social responsibility .....


Munson joined the San Buena Ventura Lodge of the American Theosophical Society on October 10, 1904. In 1909-10 he became president of the newly formed branch in Salt Lake City.<ref>"Salt Lake City" ''The Theosophic Messenger'' 11 no. 10 (July, 1910): 633.</ref> He was temporarily lodging in Utah and working as a draftsman, while lecturing weekly at Theosophical meetings.<ref>1910 United States Federal Census.</ref> In late 1912, he disposed of his Idaho property, including a ranch, and in early 1913 moved to [[Krotona in Hollywood]].<ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 29 (December 20, 1912): 4. </ref><ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 30 (January 10, 1913): 7. </ref> As the local newspaper reported:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Munson will soon leave for Krotona, California, near Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are moving so as to be near the new headquarters of the Theosophical society. They are thoroughly devoted to the Theosophical cause and feel it their duty to take a move active part in the work at Krotona.<ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 30 (January 3, 1913): 4. </ref>  
Stylistically Irving Pond did not totally fit in one category or another. He stood in the role of an intermediary, halfway between the revolutionary aesthetics and technology of the Chicago School and the Prairie School and the taste for traditional architecture his clients often felt that precedent or literary aesthetics required. His architecture used traditional materials especially brick and employed traditional forms such as gable roofs, but his designs embraced a geometric simplicity with no embellishments — a tenet of the Arts & Crafts movement.<ref>from Ravinia School nomination ..... </ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


He wrote articles for Theosophical periodicals, such as "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy"<ref>"Eugene W. Munson, "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy" ''The Messenger'' 3 no. 6 (November, 1915): 164-165.</ref> He demitted to the Krotona Lodge in 1917.<ref>Membership Ledger Cards roll 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> Beginning in 1917, he served as treasurer of the national Society.<ref>Eugene W. Munson. "Treasurer's Report" ''The Messenger'' Statistical Year Book supplement 5 no. 4 (September, 1917): 4.</ref>
=== Participation in architectural organizations ===


When the Besant Lodge of Krotona was established in October 1920 with 56 members, he was a charter member and vice president, with [[Marie Poutz]] as president.<ref>"Besant Lodge, Krotona" ''The Messenger'' 8 no. 7 (December, 1920): 577.</ref>
=== Gallery of architectural projects ===
'''The L. W. Rogers Building and similar structures'''
[[File:Rogers_Building_1a.jpg|center|400px|thumb|L. W. Rogers Building, 1926]]


=== Lecture tours ===
<gallery widths="200px" perrow="4">
File:MIchigan Union, 1919.png|Michigan Union, 1919
File:Purdue Memorial Union, 1924.JPG||Purdue Memorial Union, 1924
File:Kansas Memorial Union, 1927.png|Kansas Memorial Union, 1927
File:Michigan League, 1929.jpg|Michigan League, 1929
</gallery>


After Krotona had become established in Hollywood, Munson was more active in the national organization. George H. Hall, Manager of the Krotona Estate, wrote:
'''Examples of other buildings'''
<blockquote>
 
Later he entered the service of The Theosophical Society in America as a National Lecturer, and traveled throughout the United States lecturing and organizing study classes and lodges. He was one of the best lecturers for the Society and made many friends all over the country. It was from this work that I called him in 1923 to help me at Hollywood before we moved to Ojai. When we sold the Hollywood property, he and Mrs. Munson were the first to move to Ojai, and for nearly thirty years we have worked together to build the new Krotona in the Ojai Valley.<ref>"Mr. Eugene W. Munson" ''The American Theosophist'' 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.</ref>
<gallery widths="200px" perrow="4">
</blockquote>
File:Highland Park Club House..png|Highland Park Club House, 1891
File:Oregon Public Library.jpg|Oregon Public Library, 1909
File:Manor House Kenosha.jpg|Manor House, Kenosha, WI, 1926
</gallery>
 
== Other activities ==
 
Chicago Literary Club
Hull-House


During the years 1916-1922, Munson worked as a National Lecturer of the [[American Theosophical Society]], touring for months on end. His presentations received excellent reviews from local newspapers. After speaking in Pueblo, Colorado, a reviewer wrote:
=== Circus and acrobatics ===
<blockquote>
Mr. Munson has just competed a very successful course in Denver, speaking to capacity houses. He is a pleasant speaker  and uses anecdotes, stereopticon and blackboard illustrations freely in demonstrating the more unfamiliar phases of his subject.


He appears practical and level-headed, being an engineer by profession.<ref>"Lecture Course in Theosophy" ''Pueblo Chieftain'' (March 12, 1922): 6.</ref>
=== Social clubs and memberships ===
</blockquote>


During the First World War, he often lectured about topics related to current events, such as an occult view of the war and the rebirth of those who died in wartime in his lecture "What Comes Out of the War;" "The Occult Relations of France, Great Britain, and the United State;" and "The New International Ship of State" [referring to the League of Nations].
== Writings ==


Usually Munson spoke more directly about Theosophical subjects, using the stereopticon slides of [[Thought-Forms|thought forms]] and the [[Astral Body|astral body]] developed by [[C. W. Leadbeater]]. Titles included "How Many Lives Have You Lived?," "Do the Dead Return," "The Path of Achievement," "The Inner Gates of the Soul," and "The Science of the Borderland" [Theosophical explanations of spiritualistic experiences]. A reviewer in Great Falls, Montana, wrote of "The Hidden Side of Things":
* '''''The Meaning Of Architecture: An Essay In Constructive Criticism'''''. Boston, Marshall Jones Company, 1918. 226 pages, illustrations. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/971540.html Hathitrust] and several versions at [https://archive.org/details/meaningofarchite00pond Internet Archive]. A historical reproduction of the 1923 edition is available at [https://www.amazon.com/meaning-architecture-essay-constructive-criticism/dp/1117177548 Amazon.com].
<blockquote>
* '''"Eliel Saarinen and his work a word of appreciation and greeting"'''. 1923. Available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=bctPAAAAMAAJ and [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008062880&seq=1 Hathitrust]. Pages extracted from ''The Western Architect'' 32 no. 7 (July, 1923): 75-76 plus plates.
In the course of his address, which was heard by a large gathering of interested men and women, Mr. Munson described how telepathy is possible, explained what thoughts are, showing them as tangible objects, with shape and color visible to the occult eye. Mr. Munson also dealt somewhat at length on the evolution of the soul toward perfection.
* '''''A Day Under the Big Top, a Study in Life and Art'''''. Chicago: Chicago Literary Club, 1924. 40 pages, with 4 diagrams. "Edition, five hundred and fifteen copies, printed for members of the club in the month of March, nineteen hundred and twenty-four." About circus and acrobatics. Available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=tWB0SUDY1JoC Google Books] and [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015062226652&seq=7 Hathitrust].
* '''''The College Union'''''.  [New York], 1931. 16 pages. Limited availability at [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015004162973 Hathitrust] and [https://books.google.com/books?id=a_fVAAAAMAAJ Google Books].
* '''"Pullman - America's First Planned Industrial Town"'''. Illinois society of architects. ''Monthly bulletin'' vol. 18-19, nos. 12-1, June-July, 1934. 6-8 pages.
* '''''Big Top Rhythms: A Study in Art and Life''''', written and illustrated by Pond. Chicago, New York, Willett, Clark and Company, 1937. 229 pages, illustrations.
* '''''A Strange Fellow, and Other Club Papers''''', written and illustrated by Pond New York, Chicago, Priv. Print. by Willett, Clark and Company, 1938. 224 pages, illustrations. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/2976903.html Hathitrust], [https://libsysdigi.library.illinois.edu/OCA/Books2012-05/strangefellowoth00ilpond/ Open Content Alliance], and [https://archive.org/details/strangefellowoth00ilpond Internet Archive].
* '''''The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond''''', written in the 1930s and published posthumously. Edited by Terry Tatum and David Swan. Oak Park, IL: Hyoogen Press, 2009.


The lecture was the first of a series of four to be given here... The purpose of the lectures is to arouse interest in the science of theosophy with the idea of perfecting an organization in this city.<ref>"Theosophists Plan to Organize Here" Great Falls Daily Tribune (September 12, 1921): 9.</ref>
== Additional resources ==
</blockquote>


In addition to his extensive travel in the United States, Munson toured lodges in Canada from Vancouver to Toronto.<ref>See multiple references in ''The Canadian Theosophist'' 1 no. 1-4 (March-June 1920).</ref>
=== Articles ===


=== Work at Krotona Institute of Theosophy ===
* Szuberla, Guy. "⁨Irving Kane Pond: a Michigan Architect in Chicago" ''Old Northwest'' 5 no. 2 (Summer, 1979): 109-140.


At the time of his death in 1952, Munson was a member of the Krotona Board of Trustees.
=== Books ===


== Other activities ==
* Pond, Irving Kane. '''''The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond: The Sons of Mary and Elihu''''' ed.David Swan and Terry Tatum. Oak Park, Ill: The Hyoogen Press, 2009.


George Hall wrote:
=== Archival collections ===
<blockquote>
In addition to his interest in Krotona and its activities, he took a keen interest in public affairs, and was always generous with his time and contributions to many outside interests. He did much to acquaint the people of the Valley with Krotona an to win for us the respect and friendliness of the community.<ref>"Mr. Eugene W. Munson" ''The American Theosophist'' 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.</ref>
</blockquote>


Eugene Munson was a 32° [[Co-Masonry|Co-Mason]].
* '''The University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library'''.
** [https://findingaids.lib.umich.edu/catalog/umich-bhl-852090 Pond Family Papers, 1841-1939]. "Correspondence of Elihu B. Pond, editor of Michigan Argus, his sons, Chicago architects, Irving Kane and Allen Bartlit Pond, founders of firm of Pond & Pond, and other family members; include materials concerning family affairs, architectural projects, Jane Addams and the work of Hull House, European travels, politics especially as relates to period of the Civil War and the election of 1896; also photographs, architectural drawings and other visual materials."
* '''The Art Institute of Chicago: Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives''', Chicago, Illinois.
** [https://www.artic.edu/artworks/262324/pond-and-pond-collection Pond and Pond Collection, c.1895-1938]. "Correspondence, albums, black and white photographic prints, architectural drawings, and architectural reprographic prints."
* '''The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts''', Chicago, Illinois.
** [https://explore.chicagocollections.org/ead/newberry/72/xw4 American Circus Collection, 1891-1939]. "Late 19th and early 20th century circus and theater related illustrations, publicity, programs, photographs and memorabilia" donated by Irving Kane Pond, 1939.
** [https://archives.newberry.org/repositories/2/resources/398 Chicago Literary Club records]. Irving Kane Pond was active in this club, and its records include "weekly papers read by over 250 members, but also correspondence, minutes, a visitors' register, cashbook, and scrapbooks."
* '''Columbia University Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library''', New York.
** [https://findingaids.library.columbia.edu/pdf/cul-3460598.pdf Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue architectural drawings and papers 3460598]. Materials related to Irving Kane Pond, Claude Bragdon, and many other architects.
* '''Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog''' Historic American Buildings Survey, Engineering Record, Landscapes Survey, Washington DC.
** [https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/il1014/ Junior League of Chicago, 1447 North Astor Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL]
* '''The Athenaeum of Philadelphia''', Philadelphia, PA.
** [https://archives.philaathenaeum.org/agents/people/116 Pond, Irving K. (Irving Kane), 1857-1939]. "Correspondence to Seeler from architects, designers, and/or members of theAmerican Institute of Architects, both in Boston and Washington DC."


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:Lecturers|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:Architects|Pond, Irving Kane]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:Writers|Pond, Irving Kane]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Pond, Irving Kane]]
[[Category:Krotona Hollywood|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:People|Pond, Irving Kane]]
[[Category:Co-Masons|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:People|Munson, Eugene]]

Latest revision as of 18:40, 19 May 2026

Irving Kane Pond (1857-1939) and his brother Allen Bartlitt Pond (1858–1929)

Personal life

Irving Kane Pond, 1876

Architectural work

Training and early work

Philosophy and style

The Ponds sought to create a modern American architecture without rejecting architectural stylistic traditions, but simplifying them through the emphasis of geometry and the inherent quality of building materials and construction. In that regard, the Ponds were strongly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, with the emphasis on honest materials used honestly.[1]

Strong sense of social responsibility .....

Stylistically Irving Pond did not totally fit in one category or another. He stood in the role of an intermediary, halfway between the revolutionary aesthetics and technology of the Chicago School and the Prairie School and the taste for traditional architecture his clients often felt that precedent or literary aesthetics required. His architecture used traditional materials especially brick and employed traditional forms such as gable roofs, but his designs embraced a geometric simplicity with no embellishments — a tenet of the Arts & Crafts movement.[2]

Participation in architectural organizations

Gallery of architectural projects

The L. W. Rogers Building and similar structures

L. W. Rogers Building, 1926
  • Michigan Union, 1919
    Michigan Union, 1919
  • Purdue Memorial Union, 1924
    Purdue Memorial Union, 1924
  • Kansas Memorial Union, 1927
    Kansas Memorial Union, 1927
  • Michigan League, 1929
    Michigan League, 1929

Examples of other buildings

  • Highland Park Club House, 1891
    Highland Park Club House, 1891
  • Oregon Public Library, 1909
    Oregon Public Library, 1909
  • Manor House, Kenosha, WI, 1926
    Manor House, Kenosha, WI, 1926

Other activities

Chicago Literary Club Hull-House

Circus and acrobatics

Social clubs and memberships

Writings

  • The Meaning Of Architecture: An Essay In Constructive Criticism. Boston, Marshall Jones Company, 1918. 226 pages, illustrations. Available at Hathitrust and several versions at Internet Archive. A historical reproduction of the 1923 edition is available at Amazon.com.
  • "Eliel Saarinen and his work a word of appreciation and greeting". 1923. Available at and [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008062880&seq=1 Hathitrust. Pages extracted from The Western Architect 32 no. 7 (July, 1923): 75-76 plus plates.
  • A Day Under the Big Top, a Study in Life and Art. Chicago: Chicago Literary Club, 1924. 40 pages, with 4 diagrams. "Edition, five hundred and fifteen copies, printed for members of the club in the month of March, nineteen hundred and twenty-four." About circus and acrobatics. Available at Google Books and Hathitrust.
  • The College Union. [New York], 1931. 16 pages. Limited availability at Hathitrust and Google Books.
  • "Pullman - America's First Planned Industrial Town". Illinois society of architects. Monthly bulletin vol. 18-19, nos. 12-1, June-July, 1934. 6-8 pages.
  • Big Top Rhythms: A Study in Art and Life, written and illustrated by Pond. Chicago, New York, Willett, Clark and Company, 1937. 229 pages, illustrations.
  • A Strange Fellow, and Other Club Papers, written and illustrated by Pond New York, Chicago, Priv. Print. by Willett, Clark and Company, 1938. 224 pages, illustrations. Available at Hathitrust, Open Content Alliance, and Internet Archive.
  • The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond, written in the 1930s and published posthumously. Edited by Terry Tatum and David Swan. Oak Park, IL: Hyoogen Press, 2009.

Additional resources

Articles

  • Szuberla, Guy. "⁨Irving Kane Pond: a Michigan Architect in Chicago" Old Northwest 5 no. 2 (Summer, 1979): 109-140.

Books

  • Pond, Irving Kane. The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond: The Sons of Mary and Elihu ed.David Swan and Terry Tatum. Oak Park, Ill: The Hyoogen Press, 2009.

Archival collections

  • The University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library.
    • Pond Family Papers, 1841-1939. "Correspondence of Elihu B. Pond, editor of Michigan Argus, his sons, Chicago architects, Irving Kane and Allen Bartlit Pond, founders of firm of Pond & Pond, and other family members; include materials concerning family affairs, architectural projects, Jane Addams and the work of Hull House, European travels, politics especially as relates to period of the Civil War and the election of 1896; also photographs, architectural drawings and other visual materials."
  • The Art Institute of Chicago: Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives, Chicago, Illinois.
  • The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts, Chicago, Illinois.
    • American Circus Collection, 1891-1939. "Late 19th and early 20th century circus and theater related illustrations, publicity, programs, photographs and memorabilia" donated by Irving Kane Pond, 1939.
    • Chicago Literary Club records. Irving Kane Pond was active in this club, and its records include "weekly papers read by over 250 members, but also correspondence, minutes, a visitors' register, cashbook, and scrapbooks."
  • Columbia University Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, New York.
  • Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog Historic American Buildings Survey, Engineering Record, Landscapes Survey, Washington DC.
  • The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.

Notes

  1. ↑ David Swan, Preface to The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond: The Sons of Mary and Eliihu ed.David Swan and Terry Tatum (Oak Park, Ill: The Hyoogen Press, 2009), vii.
  2. ↑ from Ravinia School nomination .....
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