Biographical Note
Clarke Waggaman and George N. Ray were locally prominent Washington, D.C., area architects during the early 20th century. Most of the designs they produced between 1909 and 1931, working both independently and together, are represented in depth in the Waggaman & Ray Archive. The architects designed residential and commercial buildings in a wide range of styles. Incorporating careful proportions and intricate details, their built works integrated well into the existing streetscape while simultaneously redefining it. With no formal training, Waggaman began practicing as an architect in 1907. Within ten years, he had become a successful architect with over 100 commissions. Ray received a certificate of proficiency in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1909. By 1914 he was working in Waggaman's firm. In 1917 Waggaman made Ray his partner and the firm became Waggaman & Ray. In 1919 the partnership ended when Waggaman died suddenly. Ray continued practicing independently as an architect until 1931, after which he joined Randall H. Hagner & Co. and served as president of this real estate firm from 1937 to 1956.