Sunday, October 08, 2006
Richmond Revivals
There are three outstanding examples of architectural revival movements in my old home town Richmond, VA. The first and oldest is Greek Revival which is best shown in the capital building, on which many American state capital buildings (and the one in the District of Columbia for that matter) are styled. This is the back of the building because the front is covered by scaffolding. You get the picture, though--dentition molding/decoration under the eaves, Doric faux columns, white marble.
The second was Egyptian Revival in the early 19th Century. This was perhaps not as popular as Greek Revival but it is a hell of a building. It was used as a hospital during the Civil War (the White House of the Confederacy, also in pretty good shape still, is 2 blocks away) and it is still in use today at the Medical College of Virginia (at VCU).
The third, built at the beginning of the 20th Century, is Gothic Revival (stone gingerbread?) as epitomized by the old City Hall. Just magnificent. There is near the end of Kubrick's version of Lolita, a view down Broad Street from the East and you're sure it is Richmond because this beauty of a building really stands out. It's been said that I have a lot of provincial pride.
Guilty.
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 2:35 PM 
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For an interesting book w/ a discussion of Greek Revival Architechture in the United States, read "House" by Tracy Kidder. It's hard to believe that this book was published in 1985 but it is still fresh today.
# posted by 
: 8:44 AM
: 8:44 AM
Thanks. You seem to be obsessed with things called House. I doubt I'll build the dream house in Egyptian revival, but I'm tempted.
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