William M. Haussmann Sr.

William Max Haussmann Sr. (1906-1988) originally from Rockledge, Pennsylvania, was an American architect who specialized in historical restoration and preservation for the National Park Service. His 32-year federal career had a number of highlights, as it ranged from restoration work for the Sesquicentennial Celebration of 1931 in Yorktown, Virginia, to the restoration/reconstruction project of Ford’s Theatre in the 1960s. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Personal life.
Mr. Haussmann was a first generation American; he was the third of three children born to German immigrants, Carl Christian Haussmann from Oberboihingen, Württemberg, and Martha Louise (Kaiser), from Apolda, Thuringia. He was a lifelong Episcopalian; he was raised in the Memorial Church of the Holy Nativity, Episcopal Church, Rockledge, PA. As a child, he met his future wife, Hannah "Marie" Vroom, whose family also attended this church; they married there in June 1933. They raised two children in Arlington, Virginia.
Career.
After earning a degree in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1928, Mr. Haussmann worked for several architecture firms. In 1931, Mr. Haussmann accepted a position with the National Park Service (NPS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior. He remained with NPS for 32 years, specializing in historical restoration and preservation. When he retired in 1963, he was the Chief of the National Capital Parks Office of Design and Construction in Washington, D.C. After retirement he continued private architecture work.
Selection of Architectural Projects.
Government Projects
Private architecture projects.