Our Founder

Our Founder, Clarence Ward: Professor, Pastor, Architect, and Architectural Historian 

Clarence Ward laid the foundation for the vibrant visual arts culture we enjoy today. He arrived in 1916 to lead a fledgling arts community; when he retired in 1949, Oberlin’s Art Department, Art Library, and Art Museum had earned national reputations for outstanding collections, programs, production, and instruction.

Teacher – Clarence Ward is best remembered for his teaching, and he clearly enjoyed helping students see art, architecture, and the world in a new way. In the early years most art history courses fell on his shoulders: he taught seven in the 1916-17 academic year. By necessity he could teach any period of art, but his passion was Medieval and American architecture.  Negatives of his photographs of French cathedrals, taken between the wars, are now housed in the National Gallery, Washington, D.C. 

As founder of the art library, Ward also used his considerable energy to build an amazing collection by cleverly allocating funds and timing purchases. By mid-century the art library was almost 25,000 volumes and one of the largest in the country.

As Chair of the Art Department, Ward hired, and also trained, some of the brightest stars in Art History (e.g. David M. Robb, Wolfgang Stechow, Edward Capps, Jr., Ellen Johnson), drawing national attention to the Art Department.

As Director of the Museum, Ward's energy and contagious enthusiasm attracted gifts of art and funds. By the time of his retirement, the small collection he inherited in 1917 had grown significantly and was considered one of the finest college museums west of the Alleghenies. Today, the Allen Memorial Art Museum is internationally recognized for the strength of its holdings.

As a practicing architect, Ward brought a unique perspective when teaching architectural history. His buildings include the Oberlin College President's House, the 1937 wing to the Museum, and the East Oberlin Community Church. 

Pastor and founding member of East Oberlin Community Church, Clarence Ward was beloved by generations of parishioners and especially appreciated for his children's sermons. Years after his retirement he was frequently asked to perform weddings and other ceremonies by members of the church.