Paul Revere Was Here: On the Trail of L.A.’s Legendary Architect Paul R. Williams

PAUL REVERE WAS HERE:
On the Trail of L.A.’s Legendary Architect Paul R. Williams

Paul R. Williams, 1951. Herald-Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library.

In 2026, Paul R. Williams’s story enters a profound new chapter. The recent opening of the Paul R. Williams archives to the public—celebrated through landmark, collaborative exhibits at LACMA, The Getty, and USC—offers unprecedented access to his genius. 

By any measure, the accomplishments of trailblazing architect Paul Revere Williams are astounding. In a career spanning almost six decades, Williams designed more than 3,000 structures and mastered a range of architectural styles. And, as the first Black architect admitted to the AIA, he broke racial barriers and triumphed over racism, paving the way for future generations of talented Black architects.