Every historic building has a story to tell
Earlier this year, on a hot, hazy September afternoon, I walked a few blocks in downtown Hardinsburg, on my “way back” to Lexington. Rarely do I follow the logical, linear route that provides the quickest way home – and though the majority of my travels are far from leisurely, I would rather sample just a (read more)
Montpelier (Virginia) is best known as the historic home of our country’s fourth president, James Madison, the 20th century tenure of the wealthy du Pont family, and the 21st century restoration of the main house (an enormous undertaking, and one much debated by preservationists and historians). My favorite thing at Montpelier? The slightly forlorn train (read more)
Categories: Architecture, Historic Preservation, Other Places, Tourism, Vernacular, Virginia history
Tags: duPont, In the Time of Segregation, James Madison, Montpelier, Montpelier depot, Montpelier train station, Montpelier Virginia, National Trust for Historic Preservation, segregation, train depot
Although 2015 will be a year where I’ve stayed firmly planted on this side of the Atlantic (barring any last-minute winning lottery tickets that come into my possession), I can’t seem to stop yammering on about the architecture of England and Kentucky. On Sunday, November 15, 2015, at 2 p.m. in the University of Louisville’s (read more)
When I was a student at Centre College, I focused more on English literature (and some other less noble and spirited pursuits) than the landscape around me. But I remember a stark two-story brick house, near Duke’s Laundry on South Fourth Street (for $5, they would wash, dry, and fold an overflowing basket of laundry). (read more)
Categories: Architecture, Bluegrass, Boyle County, Historic Preservation, Kentucky, Kentucky architecture
Tags: Centre College, Danville Kentucky, demolition, Fisher-Byington House, Greek Revival in Danville, historic preservation, McClure-Barbee House, Old Centre, Robert Russel Jr., South Fourth Street
I am not an expert on ecclesiastical architecture, but you can’t study the history of Kentucky communities without encountering many a historic church building. The church is often the largest and most decorative building in a historic neighborhood, and I am partial to the interesting stylistic turns of early 20th century church buildings in our (read more)
On a recent road trip, I watched the interstate exits from the passenger side, taking stock of our lodging options (which were plentiful and brightly lit). Travelers straggling along 19th century turnpikes likely yearned for a light to left on – and the sight of a roadside inn surely provided great comfort. I thought of (read more)
My trips across Kentucky require no skill greater than the ability to drive, navigate, and gawk out the window, looking for a building with a story. Sometimes, it is a place with a story, like the small community of Arthurmabel in southern Magoffin County, Kentucky. The old store was what caught my eye – and (read more)
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