Architect Harry Wenning was a founding member of the firm Wenning Associates, which designed hundreds of projects in the tri-state region. In 2019, one of the firm’s development designs— Robinwood in Ossining, New York—was recognized for its architectural and historical significance and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In May 2025, we had the pleasure of being invited into a hilltop midcentury modern home by the Wenning firm on our tour of midcentury modern homes in Fairfield, CT.
This fall on October 12th, join us at one of the firm’s Holly Place neighborhood in Briarcliff Manor. With special stops inside Wenning midcentury modern homes, this unique tour is being offered one day only. Space is limited, register today!
HARRY WENNING
Harry Wenning was born in New Jersey in 1928. He attended the College of William and Mary in Virginia on a scholastic-athletic scholarship graduating with a bachelor’s in mathematics in 1949. Wenning was drafted by the Washington Redskins but declined the offer to continue his education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating with his second bachelor’s degree—this time in architecture—and a minor in building engineering.
Wenning was then hired by a subsidiary of Standard Oil which sent him to Peru as an architect and construction supervisor for their new company city of 40,000 people. His work included housing, churches, schools, and a host of civic structures. After two years at age 26, he was drafted out of Peru by the US Army and served two years, mainly in Germany, as a map editor.
After returning to the States, Wenning worked for an architect in White Plains. When he earned his architectural license, he set up his own office and continued the design-build type of practice that he performed in Peru. Wenning Associates would eventually consist of his brother John Wenning, an engineer; engineer Roger Billharz; and Armand Benedek, a landscape designer.
Wenning led the firm’s design of scores of buildings, largely in the tri-state area; their portfolio consisted of residences, institutional, commercial, apartment buildings, religious, and governmental buildings and civic projects. His residential projects were featured in many publications, including New York Times, House and Home, and Woman’s Day. Wenning and the firm were early and ardent proponents of solar and ecologically-minded design.
Working often with developer Marcel Robins, the firm was also responsible for new residential developments. One of these, Robinwood in Ossining, New York, was officially recognized for its architectural and historical significance when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. Wenning’s other residential work also showcases his talents in applying the precepts of midcentury modern design: the Gertrude Rothschild House in Hartsdale, New York; the Holly Place development in Briarcliff Manor, New York; and the Friedman House in Fairfield, Connecticut, and his own home in LaGrangville, New York, to name a few.
Wenning’s work across building types also clearly illustrated his creativity and skill, including New York projects like the Westchester Ethical Society in White Plains and Temple Beth Shalom in Hastings-on-Hudson.
Photo source: Wenning Associates brochure and Bob Gregson