William L. Perkins
1939-40 • Iowa
Bio
Iowa architect and engineer William L. Perkins served as second vice president and first vice president/president-elect before becoming NCARB’s 12th president from 1939-40. A year later, Perkins replaced Emery Stanford Hall as NCARB secretary, overseeing the administration of the organization from 1939-1957. As president and executive, Perkins oversaw the replacement of a senior and junior exam application with a single Council Registration Certificate. He also worked to update the minimum requirements for registration and to standardize the examination. Perkins was responsible for archiving much of the Council's early history and served on NCARB’s Resolutions Committee and the Committee on Credentials.
In addition to his work with NCARB, Perkins served on the Iowa State Board of Architectural Examiners, the Iowa State Society of Engineers, and the National Society of Engineering Examiners.
A Missouri native, Perkins moved to Chariton, Iowa, in 1917, where he engaged in the practice of architecture, engineering, and surveying. Perkins designed and supervised many of Chariton’s major building projects including the Chariton City Hall and Fire Station, Masonic Temple, Herald-Patriot Building, Ritz Theater, Yocom Hospital, Newspapers Building, and Hotel Chariton. Many of these are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“A good many years ago we operated without anything, mostly in the red. We tried to carry on, and once in a while we would take up a little donation to help. In the thirties we just about gave up.”