African American architect William Sidney Pittman graduated from the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry in 1900. Ten years later, a profile written on the young architect stated simply: “Mr. Pittman is considered the leading architect of his race.” Over the course of a relatively short career, Pittman is credited with forty designs or additions mainly in the vicinity of Washington D.C. and the state of Texas.

The Drexel University Archives has created an online exhibit focusing on W. Sidney Pittman’s time at Drexel. Most of what we know about Pittman’s student days comes from a series of letters he wrote to Booker T. Washington between 1897 and 1900. Those letters are part of the Booker T. Washington papers at the Library of Congress.

Questions or comments about this exhibit should be directed to the Drexel University Archives at archives@drexel.edu.