Born on February 8, 1819, John Ruskin was a rebel and a romantic. After traveling through Europe, he wrote books that reawakened interest in medieval Gothic architecture. He also disdained anything machine-made, and paved the way for the Arts & Crafts movement.

^{Image of Ruskin from The Poetry of Architecture, public domain, courtesy of Project Gutenberg®}

^{Facebook | Twitter}

Leaders like Barack Obama are household words, but few people know the names of the many Black architects and designers who helped build the United States. Only about 60 Blacks were listed as registered architects in 1930, and many of their buildings have since been lost or radically changed. Although conditions have improved, many feel that Black architects still lack the recognition they deserve.

In honor of Black History Month, here's a roundup of important Black architects in America, including some names you may not know.

^{Facebook | Twitter}

Don't be fooled by the red brick facade of this year's Super Bowl Stadium. Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana was designed to harmonize with older architecture, but the design has all the bells and whistles, making it adaptable for many types of sporting events.

^{Photo © Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images}

^{Facebook | Twitter}

A special thanks to our readers for responding to questions we've been pondering, and for sending photos!

New From Our Readers:

• What's the best American city for exploring architecture?
• What are the world's most wonderful buildings?
• What qualities make a great architect?
• A Cape Cod With No Dormers
• Fixing Up a Bungalow

New and Updated Pages:

• Oheka Castle on Long Island, New York
• Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta, Georgia
• 12 Great Black American Architects
• A Chalet Bungalow

^{Facebook | Twitter}