Legacies Live Forever: Jack Iams

Marietta, OH – When it comes to construction, anyone can slap together four walls and a roof and call it a house, but to create a space with feeling is a true gift… a gift that the late architect, Jack Iams, had in spades.

Jack’s designs were less of a structure and more of a work of art. His creations would become an additional family member to those who occupied the residence. In a sense, Jack’s designs had a soul that could be felt by anyone who stepped across its threshold.

A Marietta native, Jack would eventually step onto Marietta College’s campus in 1947. Four years later he would graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science and soon after travel 230 miles west to attend the University of Cincinnati.  Here he would complete an additional Bachelors program in Architecture, a move that would ultimately pave the way for his future career.

Jack started his architectural career focused on more mundane structures than he would later be celebrated for creating. After graduating from Cincinnati, he joined the Air Force and became a Second Lieutenant and a Housing Officer.

At the time of his service, the United States was developing nuclear weapons, which would come to be known as the “Manhattan Project.” As this new style of warfare was being created across three sites in the U.S., military forces rallied to protect our borders from potential attacks.

This effort led to vast construction projects along the East Coast to house soldiers who were the U.S.’s first line of defense. Jack supervised the construction of these modular structures, which were built in hundreds of repetitive rows, before being honorably discharged and coming back to Marietta.

While in Marietta, Jack would complete his required apprenticeship and pass his state boards necessary to obtain his architectural license. From that point on, he progressed in his career, bouncing back from Marietta and Columbus, until retiring in his hometown.

During his career, Jack built several homes in Marietta which are held in high esteem by local residents. Jack would approach each design with the client and location in mind, often favoring a Mid-Century Modern design aesthetic, which featured expansive glass walls, clean lines, and wide-open floor plans.

While Jack accomplished many residential and commercial feats, it was his restoration project of The Castle that continues to educate Washington County’s youth. In 1974, The Castle stood in disrepair and was sold at auction to siblings, Stewart and Bertlynn Bosley. The two hired Jack to be the architect for the 17-year project before being donated to the Betsey Mills upon their passing.

In a career that spanned 44 years, Jack would create countless spaces embued with a soul, until he passed away in November of 2019. In his estate, Jack named three organizations as benefactors of his life’s work: Marietta College, Christ United Methodist Church, and The Castle.

To secure his legacy and preserve his work, Jack entrusted Marietta Community Foundation to manage an endowment for The Castle to continue operating and educating the public. By naming the Foundation in his estate, Jack was inducted into the Foundation’s 1788 Legacy Society.

“Jack wanted to give his estate to organizations he felt would be responsible with the money,” said Harley Noland, a long-time friend of Jack’s and fellow architect. “He believed in Marietta Community Foundation.”

Often artists can be portrayed as unorganized individuals with chaotic workspaces, but that was not the case for Jack. Every design and drawing he finished was neatly arranged and cataloged. This collection of his life’s work is now kept by Marietta College and can be viewed upon request.

Despite the inanimate nature of Jack’s structures, the soul he imbued within his creations is still present throughout the Marietta community. Through his work and generosity, Jack’s legacy will continue to live forever.

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives. If you would like to establish a legacy that will last forever, please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.