History Colorado

Now that you have learned a few key architecture terms, let's apply your knowledge to John R. Henderson's drawings. 

John R. Henderson's Work

In 2018, John R. Henderson shared an oral history about his journey to become Colorado's first Black licensed architect. Listen to John R. Henderson recount some pivotal moments in his journey, and answer the questions below for each clip.

Hearing from John R. Henderson

One of the first ways people are introduced to architecture is through architectural drawings. You may be familiar with a common type of drawing called a floor plan. There are three distinct types of drawings--

. In this activity, we will cover how to identify the type of architectural drawing you may observe.

Read Like an Architect

Use the words that you wrote down from the previous activity to answer the questions below 

(Select 'TEXT' to create a text box to type your responses). 

The Henderson House

Becoming an Architect

The most well-known design in Henderson’s portfolio is his own Denver home, nicknamed the Henderson House. Bought when they first moved to Denver, they built the house throughout the 1960s through 1990s, as Henderson added to the home until it was perfect. Located at 2600 Milwaukee Street in the Skyland neighborhood of Denver, the mid-century modern home is in the shape of an “H.” The design includes several aspects of mid-century modern architecture including large windows and extensive built-ins. The home is also reminiscent of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who helped shape modernist architecture worldwide. 

Home is Where the Heart Is

In this activity, use the tools on the left side to draft a version of your dream home. You may choose to draw an outline of a floor plan, an elevation or a section, While you are creating, consider the following questions: 

What key features of your dream home are important and why? 

How are these key features similar or different than John R. Henderson's home? 

Create Like an Architect

John R. Henderson's Early Life

After completing the exhibit activities, reflection on your experience before and after viewing the exhibit using the worksheet below. 

3-2-1 Bridge Reflection

After reading the brief exhibit introduction, what are 3 words or thoughts that you have about John R Henderson? What are 2 questions that you have about this exhibit? What is 1 personal learning goal that you would like to achieve by the end of this exhibit? Select "Text" on the lefthand side to type in your answers.

3-2-1 Bridge

John R. Henderson Timeline

John R Henderson (1921-2018) registered to practice architecture in Denver, Colorado on October 7th, 1959, becoming the first licensed Black architect in the state. Henderson worked for prominent Denver architecture firms like James Sudler Associates and Holbein & White initiating the integration of Black designers into Colorado's architecture industry. This virtual exhibit shares the challenges John R Henderson faced and subsequent triumphs in reaching his goal of becoming an architect. The exhibit also gives a look into his professional work and community impact through his drawings. 

John R. Henderson Educator Overview Template.pdf

John R Henderson -  First licensed Black architect in Colorado

U.S. History

Social Studies

In 1960, John R Henderson drafted this particular drawing. This house can be considered a precursor to the Henderson House, the house John R Henderson built for his family. The drawing shows the modernist influence of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe with its less-is-more aesthetic of open expanses of glass. 

Can you identify the distinct type of architecture drawing?

In 1978, John R. Henderson designed this house for the Culbertsons. He later worked as a consultant for Kobey Culbertson on numerous projects. Al Culbertson, of Sioux descent, marched against the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs' alleged discriminatory practices against the Native American employees in the 1970's. 

This John R. Henderson drawing shows the store remodel project for John R. Henderson's emporium, African and American Trading Company. 

In 1986, John R. Henderson designed this home for Carlotta Walls LaNier and her husband in the Cherry Hills neighborhood. Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest of the "Little Rock Nine", the group of nine Black students who were part of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Carlotta Walls Lanier moved to Colorado in the 1960s. 

This John R. Henderson drawing depicts student housing units, which contains four apartments housing sixteen students in total. Each housing unit contains an eating area and a study area, a kitchen, a bath, and two dual-occupancy bedrooms. Each unit is sized at 685 square feet. 

This John R. Henderson drawing shows the residence addition project built onto the existing Henderson house.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

John R Henderson - First licensed Black architect in Colorado

John R. Henderson's Work

Guiding Question

2945 Elm Street