Résumé

Partner, Stewart, Richardson, Allen and McMath, Architects, Portland, OR, 1962-1963.

Partner, Stewart, Allen and McMath, Architects, Portland, OR, 1963-1967.

Partner, [Frank] Allen McMath [William] Hawkins, Architects, Porltland, OR, c. 1980. In 1980, the firm had an office at 213 SW Ash Street, Office #210, Portland, OR, 97204. McMath suffered a stroke in 1996 that left him somewhat incapacitated.

Professional Acttivities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).

McMath had a devout interest in historic preservation, and played a significant role in writing Portland's early historic preservation ordinances. According to a web site authored at the University of Oregon, School of Architecture and Environment: "Portland’s first landmark preservation ordinance, a six-page letter-size document, ensured the protection of historic buildings in the city from that time forward. McMath’s championing of the document would help mark him in architectural minds as the father of preservation in Portland. The 1968 ordinance created a historic designation process and offered zoning tools for protection of historic architecture. [Partner] Hawkins further elaborated on McMath’s efforts to draft and implement preservation law. '[George] was very influential in getting the first landmark legislation passed by the Portland City Council. He pushed and pushed it,' Hawkins said. 'What led to it was the demolition of the Ladd building; it came down overnight. George was absolutely furious, and felt it was so important to get legislation passed so this wouldn’t happen again.'" (See University of Oregon, School of Architecture and Environment, "George McMath 1959, Bachelor of Architecture '59, The Father of Preservation in Oregon," accessed 08/24/2018.) McMath worked at the macro and micro levels in historic preservation. Hi's firms participated in the renovation of the Portland Federal Courthouse #1 (1970) and the New Market Theatre.and helped to create the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District as a National Historic Landmark (the nation's highest preservation distinction) and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. On the micro level, he personally wrote the National Historic Register Inventory Nomination form for the notable Dekum Building in Portland, OR, on 03/20/1980.

Chair, City of Portland, Historic Landmarks Commission, Portland, OR, 1968-1978.

Founding Member, Historic Preservation League of Oregon, (later renamed "Restore Oregon), Portland, OR, 1977.

Professional Awards

Because of his profound contributions to historic preservation in Oregon, an award, the George McMath Historic Preservation Award, was established in his name at the University of Oregon, School of Architecture and Environment in 2009.

High School/College

Graduate, Grant High School, Portland, OR.

B.Arch., University of Oregon (U of O), Eugene, OR, 1959.

Relocation

McMath was born and raised in Portland, OR, and developed a deep appreciation for the built and natural environment of his home. He became one of the leading historic preservation experts on Portland in the late twentieth century.

Parents

McMath was a grandson of the great Portland architect, Albert Ernest Doyle (1877-1928).

Spouse

He wed Annette McMath.