Every historic building has a story to tell
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)
There is a small wooden chair in the front hall of my childhood home. Made of cherry or walnut, it is a nice little chair, but unremarkable except for its story. From an early age, I knew the chair traveled strapped to a horse through the Cumberland Gap in the 18th century. I fervently wanted (read more)
I’m a firm believer in the arts and literature as a necessary component of life. Although my artistic ability never quite manifested (even using rulers, I struggle to draw a straight line), I’ve read voraciously since an early age and books remain one of my chief passions. During a recent week of work in West (read more)
A vacation never really seems like a vacation to me unless it involves the ocean and a cocoon of soft, inviting beach. Perhaps it is growing up in a land-locked state that stimulates this desire to flee to the coast and water (yes, I know the Bluegrass has the greatest length of navigable waterways and (read more)
Categories: Architecture, Florida, Historic Preservation, Other Places, Tourism
Tags: #capestgeorgelighthouse, #lighthouses, HABS, reconstruction, stgeorgeislandfl
As the product of a rural environment, having cut my teeth (and prompted a few more gray hairs on my parents’ heads) on winding country roads, I’ve always been aware of the stories behind the names of those roads. Family names, nearby waterways, topographical features – and mills – all figure into many a historic (read more)
Last night, while having dinner with my parents, I groaned in mock despair, as the inevitability of genetics was driven home once again – there is no doubt whose daughter I am! Mannerisms, temperament – these traits can, sometimes, be traced back to our families of origin. And other things too, crop up in the (read more)
Interested in a specific topic? Check out some popular categories below, or enter your search terms in the box.