Architecture database launched

Arts In Brief

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The Modesto Art Museum has launched an online database of nearly 1,000 architectural sites in town. Viewable from modestoartmuseum.org, the database features descriptions of residential, commercial, government, industrial and retail development as well as landscapes, signs and monuments.

Viewers can search the database to learn the date of construction, architect, historical significance and more of featured sites. Some entries come with photos; new photos are being added all the time. The information comes from a survey, the Stanislaus County Historical Society completed in 1984 of historically significant buildings in Modesto. A copy of the survey is in the Special Collections Room of the main library downtown.

"Most people don't realize that for decades through the 20th century, Modesto was on the cutting edge of architecture in California and United States," said Bob Barzan, executive director of the museum, in a statement. "Modesto's landscape, commercial, residential, and government architecture was held up as a model for others and major architects designed buildings and landscapes in the city. Among them are John Funk, William Wurster, Julia Morgan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Gardner Dailey, Milton Pflueger, Thomas Church, Lawrence Halprin, Russell Guerne Lappe and John McLaren."