"Vertner W. Tandy,Sr. {1885-1949}

Was born in Lexington,Kentucky where he was educated at the Chandler School.Vertner gained an understanding of construction by watching his father build and develop homes in Lexington.These early experiences with his father led him to an interest in architecture.In 1904,Vertner attended Tuskegee Institute to study architecture and during his short stay was under the guidance of Booker T. Washington.He became the architecture program's"prize" student and a year later,in September of 1905, he transferred to Cornell University in Ithaca,New York.Henry Arthur Callis that Vertner showed up on the hallowed grounds of Cornell in a rather "tight cadet's uniform with a saxophone under his arm."Vertner,Henry and a small group of college formed Alpha Phi Alpha Society in The spring of 1906,which would soon become the first African American Greek letter fraternity,on December 4th of the same year.During his time in the fraternity,he was treasurer,designer,of the pin,and eventually was responsible for its incorporation.Upon graduation he became the first African American registered architect in the State of New York.His office was on Broadway in New York City.Among the buildings he designed are Saint Philips Episcopal Church in New York City Villa Lewaro,of Madam C.J. Walker, in Irvington-on the Hudson, New York.He later became the first African America to pass the military commissioning examination in World War 1.Vertner was subsequently commissioned first Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard.