Thomas C. Parker, Sr.

(“TCP” 11/1927 to 6/1931)

​

Thomas C. Parker, Sr. (12/16/1904 – 1/21/1967 (Forest Lawn)) was born in Massachusetts to Mathew H. and Willie Sue Williams Parker.  He lived with his parents at 2310 Park Avenue before and after graduating from the University of Virginia. He became employed as a draftsman with Charles M. Robinson Architects in 1927 and initialed his first plans that November. 

​

After leaving the firm in mid-1931 he became employed – through the Works Progress Administration Art Program – as the Director of the Art Center Club of Virginia, which changed its name to the Richmond Academy of Arts, a position he held until 1935 when he accepted the position of Assistant to the Director of the WPA Art Program.  He became the first Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on January 16, 1936. 

​

He became Deputy Director of the WPA Art Program in 1938 and was acting Director in 1939 to oversee the New York World’s Fair Art Show. On August 15, 1940 he became the Director of the American Federation of Arts, a position that he held until 1952.  He died on January 21, 1967 in Alexandria. 

​

His death certificate states that he was a Real Estate Broker at the time of his death and that he died of Myocardial Infarction.  He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond. Thomas C. Parker, Jr. was a pallbearer at Charles M. Robinson’s August 1932 Funeral.