Friday Photos – Page 21 – Preservation of Historic Winchester

Trivia Answers for “Away, I’m Bound Away” Questions

It’s time to see how you did on the trivia questions posted Friday. These were some tough questions, so don’t feel bad if you didn’t know many — just follow the links, read up on some interesting Virginians, and then stump your friends with what you learned!

1. What Virginian became chief of the Crow Indians?
James Pierson Beckwourth
2. What Virginian became president of a foreign republic?
Samuel Houston
3. What Virginian became famous as “The Missouri Artist”?
George Caleb Bingham
4. What Virginian became the first African-American to serve a full term in the United States Senate?
Blanche Kelso Bruce
5. What Virginia writer helped promote the Westward Migration?
Jessie Benton Fremont
6. What Virginia slave mailed himself to freedom?
Henry Brown
7. What Virginian became the most famous fugitive slave in US history?
Anthony Burns
8. What Virginian “discovered” the Great Salt Lake?
James Bridger
9. What Virginian became an abolitionist governor of Illinois?
Edward Coles
10. What Virginian helped bring order to Central City, Colorado?
Clara Brown
11. What Virginian was instrumental in establishing the Pony Express?
Benjamin Franklin Ficklin
12. What Virginian became the founder of Texas?
Stephen Fuller Austin
13. Who was the first African American to serve in the State Senate?
George Teamoh
14. What Virginian served as President for a month?
William Henry Harrison
15. What Virginian explored Yellowstone River?
John Coulter
16. What Virginian was saved by a white bean?
William Alexander Anderson “Bigfoot” Wallace during the Black Bean Incident
17. What Virginian became a confidante to a famous First Lady?
Elizabeth Keckley
18. What Virginian made the first map of Tennessee?
Daniel Smith
19. What Virginian helped Kentucky achieve statehood?
John Brown
20. What Virginia slave’s lawsuit led to a famous Supreme Court case?
Dred Scott
21. What Virginian was probably the first African-American elected to public office in the United States?
John Mercer Langston, elected town clerk of Brownhelm in 1855
22. What Virginian established Centralia, Washington?
George Washington
23. What Virginian taught the first kindergarten in Detroit?
Fannie Moore Richards
24. What Virginian met with John Brown to encourage a slave uprising in the South?
George DeBaptiste, who met with John Brown and Frederick Douglass
25. What Virginian won the Northwest during the American Revolution?
George Rogers Clark
26. What Virginian killed himself three years after his famous expedition?
Meriwether Lewis (although some scholars believe he was murdered)
27. What Virginian explored the Louisiana Territory?
William Clark and the aforementioned Meriwether Lewis
28. What Virginian helped carry Methodism to western Virginia?
Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell
29. What Virginian was called the “Iron Cutter” by the Sioux Indians?
Lawrence Taliaferro, whose last name is derived from “iron cutter” in Italian.
30. What Virginian revolutionized American agriculture?
Cyrus Hall McCormick
31. What Virginian helped found the Wilberforce Community in Canada?
Austin Steward
32. What Virginian was known as the “Great Compromiser”?
Henry Clay
33. What Virginian was given a flag made by Barbara Fritchie?
Jesse Lee Reno
34. What Virginian ended the bleeding in “Bleeding Kansas”?
James William Denver

Friday Photos: Kurtz Cultural Center Exhibits and Trivia Questions

From Kurtz Cultural Center Exhibits

This week’s selection of images were pulled from PHW’s slide collection. The slides feature some of the exhibits held at the Kurtz Building in the 1990s. One of the exhibits, titled “Away, I’m Bound Away” from the Virginia Historical Society features prominently in the images. It is also the subject of an extensive gathering of trivia questions based around the exhibit as part of the promotional materials. Chances are if you were in a local elementary school in the 1990s, you may have come here on a field trip and may even tried your hand at these questions once. Answers to the questions will be posted here Monday. There is no prize, but if you know all the answers without the aid of Google, you truly know your Virginia history!

Questions:
1. What Virginian became chief of the Crow Indians?
2. What Virginian became president of a foreign republic?
3. What Virginian became famous as “The Missouri Artist”?
4. What Virginian became the first African-American to serve a full term in the United States Senate?
5. What Virginia writer helped promote the Westward Migration?
6. What Virginia slave mailed himself to freedom?
7. What Virginian became the most famous fugitive slave in US history?
8. What Virginian “discovered” the Great Salt Lake?
9. What Virginian became an abolitionist governor of Illinois?
10. What Virginian helped bring order to Central City, Colorado?
11. What Virginian was instrumental in establishing the Pony Express?
12. What Virginian became the founder of Texas?
13. Who was the first African American to serve in the State Senate?
14. What Virginian served as President for a month?
15. What Virginian explored Yellowstone River?
16. What Virginian was saved by a white bean?
17. What Virginian became a confidante to a famous First Lady?
18. What Virginian made the first map of Tennessee?
19. What Virginian helped Kentucky achieve statehood?
20. What Virginia slave’s lawsuit led to a famous Supreme Court case?
21. What Virginian was probably the first African-American elected to public office in the United States?
22. What Virginian established Centralia, Washington?
23. What Virginian taught the first kindergarten in Detroit?
24. What Virginian met with John Brown to encourage a slave uprising in the South?
25. What Virginian won the Northwest during the American Revolution?
26. What Virginian killed himself three years after his famous expedition?
27. What Virginian explored the Louisiana Territory?
28. What Virginian helped carry Methodism to western Virginia?
29. What Virginian was called the “Iron Cutter” by the Sioux Indians?
30. What Virginian revolutionized American agriculture?
31. What Virginian helped found the Wilburforce Community in Canada?
32. What Virginian was known as the “Great Compromiser”?
33. What Virginian was given a flag made by Barbara Fritchie?
34. What Virginian ended the bleeding in “Bleeding Kansas”?

Friday Photos: Images from the 1987 Coloring Book

In 1987, PHW coordinated the production of “The Architecture of Historic Winchester Coloring Book” to bring architecture to children in a way they can understand. The books were both a fundraising item for PHW and used in the elementary schools as an educational tool. Twenty illustrations of local landmark buildings were drawn by Daniel Morgan Middle School and Handley High School students, under the direction of art teacher Ronald Fabin.

Landmarks included in the coloring book encompass the Red Lion Tavern, The Old Frederick County Court House, Christ Episcopal Church, the old John Kerr School, Mt. Hebron Cemetery Gatehouse, and Handley High School.

Recently a collection of negatives used in producing the line drawings was found in PHW’s files. The photos include some of the properties listed above, and also a few that didn’t make the cut, like the Aulick House at 414 S. Braddock St., the Wisteria House, and 617 S. Washington St. Most fascinating was the surprise image of the Aulick House, making this only the third known photo of the building prior to the arson. View the photo set on Flickr.

PHW does not have a copy of the completed coloring book in our files. If you have “The Architecture of Historic Winchester Coloring Book,” please consider donating it to PHW.

Friday Photos: Children’s Heritage Festival, May 1994

Today’s edition of Friday Photos brings you images from 1992-1996 of kids activities downtown. Although not quite Independence Day events, most of the photos were taken at the 1994 Children’s Heritage Festival, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of Winchester’s founding. Sharp eyed viewers will spot familiar faces like Roy Nester, Micheal Foreman, and Pat Zontine among the adults.

The event, which was held May 14, 1994, was geared to living history and colonial-era hands on activities. The Patuxent Living History Group reenacted the life of trappers and skinners at George Washington’s Headquarters, while the Cedar Creek Indian Horse Club was on hand the show their ponies and paint faces. Judge Robert K. Woltz led a mock trial from the colonial era in the Old Frederick County Court House. For those looking for more hands-on activities, the Winchester Girl Scouts helped guests make five colonial toys and the Belle Grove Quilters demonstrated how to stencil and quilt. No birthday celebration would have been complete without cake, and Michael Foreman, as the Chairman of the Commemorative Commission, led the birthday party complete with cake and beverages. Through it all, Roy Nester as Town Crier announced the upcoming events.

Other activities which were not recorded in these photos included the Kurtz Building exhibit on “James Wood and the Founding of Winchester,” a heritage poster contest, colonial storytelling at Handley Library, costumed guided walking tours of Old Town, an 18th century puppet show, Daniel Morgan folk dancers directed by Beth Huddleston, and a fashion show of period costumes.

View the photo set at Flickr.

Friday Photos: Second Empire Style in Winchester

Friday Photos this week is inspired by the recent discussion of the Gavis residence at 414 South Braddock Street. You may have seen the building called “Second Empire style” in the news following the June 25th City Council work session and wondered what that meant and why that is important in a discussion about what to do about a crumbling old building.

The Second Empire style is usually dated to 1855-1885. These stylistic influences can be dated from the 1870s to the early 1900s in Winchester, which is a typical lag in fashionable architecture for the area. This architectural style is very similar in appearance to the Italianate style of the same period, one of the more common building types in Winchester’s historic district. Because the two styles seem so alike, it may not be immediately obvious why so much stress has been placed on that unique aspect of 414 South Braddock Street.

Cornice brackets and tall, usually arched windows often surrounded by molding make Second Empire visually similar to the Italianate style. The telltale distinguishing feature of Second Empire style is the roof. This feature, called a mansard roof, is a dual pitched hip roof that is “boxy” in appearance. Many times the roof was covered with slate cut into decorative patterns. Often the roof line was decorated with elaborate iron cresting. In fact, the roof is so intrinsic to Second Empire architecture that it is sometimes simply referred to as Mansard style.

The mansard roof is named for a 17th century French architect, Francois Mansart. The roof shape – the dual pitched, boxy hip roof – most associated with Mansart’s designs was considered especially functional, allowing for full use of the attic space when coupled with dormer windows. Because of his popularization of that form, that roof style came to bear his name. The mansard roof was revived extensively in French architecture constructed during the reign of Napoleon III (1852-1870), known as the Second French Empire. Where the contemporaneous Italianate style was part of the Romantic, Picturesque movement in architecture utilizing architectural styles of the past and focusing on nature, the Second Empire style was considered a modern style for its imitation of the latest French construction and a push toward urban living. As the style migrated through England to America, it retained the link to its French roots through its identification with the reign of Napoleon III. (Another, peculiarly American name for the style is the “General Grant style”, as the building type was at the height of its popularity after the Civil War and during his presidency.)

What makes the Gavis House so architecturally endearing, even in its dangerously dilapidated state? It is the last example of textbook Second Empire construction left in Winchester that has not been significantly altered or demolished. It was always a rare style locally, though other, original Second Empire style buildings once existed here. The other “high end” or typical examples of Second Empire style buildings in Winchester have been lost to demolition, including the Barton home on South Washington Street, the Winchester Milling Company on North Cameron Street, and the birthplace of Admiral Richard Byrd on Amherst Street.

The extreme rarity of the style (about 1% of buildings in the Winchester Historic District have Second Empire details, and most in a very modest expression) is coupled with the building’s landmark architectural potential. The building is one of a handful that received an “outstanding” rating in the 1976 architectural survey, indicating it is of such quality that it could be placed on the National Register of Historic Places through its architecture alone. This places the building on the same architectural footing as the Hexagon House and the Handley Library.

Perhaps that comparison in architectural significance – could you envision the Handley Library removed from our downtown streetscape? – goes a long way to explain why architectural historians and enthusiasts have always held a soft spot in their hearts 414 South Braddock Street. If the Taylor Hotel was our most famous building that needed attention, it would be fair to say the Gavis residence is the most architecturally outstanding threatened building in Winchester.

Album of Second Empire Style Buildings in Winchester’s Historic District

414 South Braddock Street, Aulick or Gavis Residence, Second Empire style, ca. 1881, only intact original example of the style left in Winchester
41 West Boscawen Street, commercial building remodeled to Second Empire style ca. 1900
2 North Cameron Street, the Kurtz Building, Second Empire style tower addition ca. 1870
112 North Cameron Street, O. M. Brown Residence, remodeled to Second Empire style ca. 1870
11 South Cameron Street, Second Empire influenced townhouse, ca. 1900
36 South Cameron Street, remodeled to Second Empire style ca. 1870
42-44 South Cameron Street, Second Empire influenced townhouse ca. 1896
14-16 South Loudoun Street, commercial building remodeled to Second Empire style ca. 1898
26-28 West Piccadilly Street, extensively altered Second Empire influenced residence, ca. 1905
132 North Washington Street, Second Empire style residence ca. 1880, altered

List and photographs compiled from 2011 Historic District Survey and Google Maps street view.

Friday Photos: Student Survey of Winchester, Early 1980s

This week in Friday Photos, PHW brings you a look back at the beginnings of the revitalization efforts downtown. These images were pulled from a slideshow labelled “Three Part Student Survey of Winchester.” The goal of the study appeared to have been suggestions for improving the downtown and making it a more attractive place to shop and visit. The images appear to date, for the most part, to the very early days of the walking mall.

This is a timely reminder of how much our downtown has improved upon showcasing the intrinsic historic charm of Old Town Winchester. If you have never seen images of the downtown from these very early days of the pedestrian mall, it can be hard to visualize just how much the space has evolved through the City’s infrastructure improvements and building owners’ efforts to restore their historic buildings. Please take some time to click through the photos this weekend for a dose of nostalgia, and let PHW know if you recognize any of the locations in the uncaptioned slides.

Three Part Student Survey of Winchester, Early 1980s

View the album on Picasa

Friday Photos: Annual Meeting 1978

While PHW is gearing up for the 49th Annual Meeting tomorrow, Saturday June 15 at 2 p.m., we invite you to take a look back at the 1978 Annual Meeting, the earliest such meeting we have found documented with photographs. The event was hosted in the garden of Nancy Pennypacker’s house. All photographs were taken by G. Rich Anderson.

PHW Annual Meeting, 1978

View the album on Picasa.

Friday Photos: Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, 1975

This week for Friday Photos, PHW brings you a look back at business in the mid-1970s. This series of photographs was taken at a Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce event. The images are all unmarked, however, so particulars about this event are unclear. If you can help PHW identify anyone in the photos or provide more details about what might be happening, please contact us at phwi@verizon.net or (540) 667-3577.

Chamber of Commerce 1975

View the album on Picasa.

Friday Photos: PHW’s “Grand Event,” September 1973

This week for Friday Photos, we look back at some images of one of the first large scale membership and fundraiser events in PHW’s history. The gathering – the forerunner of today’s Memberfest – was held at Glen Burnie on September 14, 1973.

As with most stories, a bit of background is necessary to set the stage. In August of 1971, PHW had started working in earnest on fundraising for what would eventually become known as the Jennings Revolving Fund. The first substantial loan went to the Roberts family, whose front wall of their limestone home on South Braddock Street collapsed prior to their stabilization efforts could begin.

By 1973, PHW was gearing up to increase this corpus of funds to begin purchasing endangered buildings for resale through the Revolving Fund. The “Grand Event” was conceived with a twofold mission to begin the Revolving Fund and increase membership to 300.

The committee, made up of Joe Headley, LouAnne and Ray Jennings, Barbara Laidlaw, Buddy Orndoff, George Robertson, Lee Taylor, and Elanor White, organized the event. There was a puppet show, various musical acts, and a square dancing demonstration. Much like the Open House at the Noakes House this spring, architectural artifacts and other interesting donations were auctioned off to raise funds. The ticket cost to the event – a modest $5 for a single or $7.50 for a couple – served as the membership dues for that year.

While no written report was filed at the end of the event, we can surmise from the happy faces in these photographs and that the Revolving Fund was in negotiations to purchase its first building in 1974 that the “Grand Event” was a grand success.

PHW's "Grand Event," Sept. 14. 1973

Friday Photos: Salvaged Greenhouse

Today’s photos are images of a greenhouse once located at the Virginia Agricultural Experimental Station/Winchester Fruit Research Laboratory on Valley Avenue (Route 11), approximately where Hope Drive is located today. Several greenhouses on the site had been abandoned and were decaying after the Research Laboratory moved into larger facilities in the mid 1990s.

Theodora and Benjamin Rezba salvaged, relocated and restored one greenhouse left behind at the Valley Avenue facility. These images, given to PHW in 2006, show the greenhouse in its dilapidated state and during the reconstruction and restoration phase. The unusual project was recognized in 2006 by PHW with an Award of Merit for retaining this piece of Winchester history, even though it had to be moved from its original location. Today, it is once again a functional greenhouse.

Read more about the history of the Fruit Research Laboratory at Virginia Tech’s website.

Curious about what other projects have received recognition with PHW preservation awards? Find a list of past winners at Preservation Award Recipients.

Salvaged Greenhouse from Fruit Research Laboratory