Samuel Lapham VI

Samuel Lapham VI was born on 23 September 1892 in Charleston, South Carolina to Samuel Lapham V and Annie Grey Soule (a direct descendant of Pilgrim George Soule). [Genealogical research of Ernest E. Blevins with birth, death and marriage records of the family; Lapham, "History of the Lapham Family" manuscript.] He attended the University School of Charleston (which became the Gaud School in 1908, his senior year), College of Charleston graduating in 1913 with a BA, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1916 with a Bachelors of Architecture. [Blevins, "Documentation of the Architecture of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham", Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation Thesis, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2001, p2-3.]

After MIT Lapham worked for Fay, Spofford & Thorndike in Boston including work with Adams Cram. In 1917, Lapham moved to Akron, Ohio taking a postion with Carmichael Construction Company until the outbreak of the U.S. role in World War I. He applied by mail and joined a South Carolina unit. He attened Officer's Training Camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and Fortress Monroe in Virginia. During the war he served at Fort Moultire in Charleston and the 61st Artillery Brigade, 1st Army, American Expeditionary Forces in France. Upon discharge he joined C.F. Warner of Cleveland, Ohio before returing to Charleston to partner with Albert Simons in 1920. [Blevins, "Documentation of the Architecture of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham", Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation Thesis, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2001, p 4-5.]

He joined the Army Reserve serving in the Coastal Artillery starting in 1923. During World War II he was assigned to the Inspector General Office in Atlanta where he inspected construction of bases from Cuba to Kentucky including the secret work at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. [Blevins, "Documentation of the Architecture of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham", Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation Thesis, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2001, p 6-8] .

The architectural firm of Simons & Lapham was influential in creating the first historic presrvation ordinance in Charleston, South Carolina in 1930. The firm worked on preservaiton projects in South Carolina and Georgia starting in the 1920s. They were honory life members of the Society for the Preservation of Historic Dwellings of Chalreston (now the Preservation Society of Charleston). [Blevins, "Documentation of the Architecture of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham", Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation Thesis, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2001, p. 11.] They also performed new construction. During the expanse of the work the firm did over 300 projects from 1920-1972. The firm changed names over the years from Simons & Lapham, Simons, Lapham, & Small, Simons & Small, Simons, Small, and Donahue, and Small & Donahue. The latter was in business as late as 2002. [Blevins, "Documentation of the Architecture of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham", Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation Thesis, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2001; author's personal knowledge] .

Lapham was active in community service. He was a founding member of the South Carolina Society of Colonial Wars and designed their official seal. He was also a member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #242 (a lodge his father re organized), Carolina Yacht Club, The Charleston Club, Landmark Lodge #76 Ancient and Free Masons, Kiwanis Club, Saint Cecilia Society, Delta Lodge of Scottish Rite. He was a charter member of the South Carolina Mayflower Society. He joined the American Institute of Architects in 1923 serving as state president in 1936-1937. He was elected a Fellow in 1937 and Member Emeritus in 1955. [Blevins, "Documentation of the Architecture of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham", Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation Thesis, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2001, p. 10-11, 40-41.

Lapham married Lydia LaRoache Thomas in July 1926. They had Anne Soule Lapham (1929-2002), Samuel Thomas Lapham (1935-1943) and Samuel Peyre Lapham (living). Samuel Lapham VI is burried with his wife in Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina. [Blevins, "Documentation of the Architecture of the Architecture of Samuel Lapham and the Firm of Simons & Lapham", Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation Thesis, Savannah College of Art & Design, 2001, 9-10-12.