VSA events

Members

Richard H. Howland, former President

We regret to report the passing of former President of the VSA, Richard H. Howland, who died of pneumonia at his home in Washington, on October 24, 2006, at the age of 96.  There will be a memorial gathering at the Cosmos Club in Washington.

Dr. Howland, who was VSA President from 1980-84, was an eminent architectural and art historian who served also as president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the late 1950s.  A debonair socialite as well as dedicated scholar, he was a man of many facets. He was a classical archaeologist, art history professor, author, founder of learned societies and a special assistant at the Smithsonian Institution.

See: Washington Post obituary

With thanks to the Washington Post for biographical notes.

In May, this year, the VSA also lost its founding president, J. Stewart Johnson, who died at his home in Orient, NY.
see Obituary in last month's newsletter

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF PAST PRESIDENTS
 

Join Margot Gayle in Supporting the Landmarking of 63 Nassau Street, NY

An Early Cast-Iron Building by James Bogardus

On Tuesday, November 14, 2006, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission will be holding a public hearing on the designation of 63 Nassau Street as an individual landmark.

The hearing will be held at the Landmarks Preservation Commission, 1 Centre Street at Chambers Street, 9th floor, and will begin about 11:30 am (it is recommended you arrive by 11:00 am).

Margot Gayle, the world’s leading expert on cast-iron buildings and also one of the founders of the Victorian Society in America, has long attributed 63 Nassau Street to James Bogardus. Bogardus was a pioneer in the use of cast iron in architecture and was an early champion of the building material. Built c. 1860, 63 Nassau Street is one of just four remaining Bogardus buildings in NYC (the other three - 254 Canal Street, 75 Murray Street, and 85 Leonard Street, are all protected as landmarks). The building, still remarkably intact, is in danger of being demolished for a larger development, and support for its designation as a landmark is needed.

To help, please voice your support, either in person on November 14, or in writing in advance of the hearing.

Margot Gayle celebrated her 98th birthday on May 14, 2006.

  New additions to the Board

At the recent board meeting, held at the Fall gathering in New Bedford, were two additions to the VSA board.  Approved unanimously were Thomas Crichton McGehee of Mobile, AL, and Tina Strauss of Deerfield, IL, as directors.

See current VSA board.

  Member renewals by email, please!

To reduce administration time and costs members are encouraged to receive renewal reminders by email.

Would members who are willing to be reminded only this way please indicate by email to the business manager. 

Thank you.

  Email newsletter archive

If you have missed an issue of the VSA email newsletter, or which to revisit an article, you can now browse our back issue archive of email newsletters from the earliest text-based issues in 2003.

  Creating the Artful Home: The Aesthetic Movement

Karen Zukowski

A slide lecture and book signing were held on November 6 at The National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, New York, to celebrate the publication of Creating the Artful Home: The Aesthetic Movement by VSA member Karen Zukowski.  Among the full house in attendance were several members of the NY Metropolitan Chapter.

This volume will intrigue collectors, historians, and homemakers. Dozens of never-before-published illustrations, including rare color views of 1880s interiors and exteriors, shed new light on American houses. Karen gives thoughtful insights into gender roles and the development of architecture as a moral imperative. Collectors will appreciate the thorough examination of historic architecture and furnishings and the glimpses of modern objects that show the same aesthetic. Most of all, the book gives modern homeowners insights into how American houses of the past have shaped our houses today-and how we might create our own artful homes in the future.

Click image to purchase the book at Amazon and help the VSA.

  Temple of Invention: History of a National Landmark

Charles J. Robertson

On November 1, the Washington DC Metropolitan Chapter held an illustrated talk by national VSA vice-president Charles Robertson on the subject of his new book: Temple of Invention: History of a National Landmark. 

The national landmark in question, and home of invention, is the Patent Office Building, in Washington DC, which closed in January 2000 and reopened July 1 of this year after a major renovation.  In preparation for the reopening, the history of the building was thoroughly researched, and Charles presented an illustrated lecture about that long and often difficult history.

Begun in 1836 and completed in 1868, the Patent Office Building is one of the oldest public buildings in Washington.  Built on a site set aside by Peter L’Enfant for a national church or pantheon for heroes, the building instead became tribute to Americans’ reverence for invention.  Presidents, poets, architects, and heroes all bring the building to life.  It was converted to barracks and a hospital during the Civil War and also hosted Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural ball in 1865.

By 1953 the building had been neglected for many years and was a target for demolition.  President Eisenhower ordered that it be protected and in 1958 it was transferred to the Smithsonian.  Ten years later, the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum opened.

Click image to purchase the book at Amazon and help the VSA.

  Dress for Sesquicentennial Success

Kevin Geraghty

VSA member and North Star Chapter president, Kevin Geraghty,  will be one of the presenters (along with Sally Anderson of Living History Society of Minnesota) of a free costume workshop about 1850s era fashions and how to create your own historic costumes.  It will be held as part of Hastings' sesquicentennial in 2007 at LeDuc Historic Estate, 1629 Vermillion St., U.S. 61, Hastings, MN.

The Hastings Sesquicentennial in 2007 will provide once in a lifetime opportunities to participate in unique historical events. Families wearing period costumes not only set the stage for celebrating the history of Hastings, but create unique and memorable experiences for all members of the household. Workshop attendees will learn about the fashions of the 1850s era, typical styles and fabrics, as well as sources for patterns and supplies. They will have a chance to handle reproduction clothing; study photographs, and will leave with the knowledge they need to create their own historic costume.

http://www.dakotahistory.org/LeDuc/events.asp

Member Organizations

Greater Chicago Chapter
Annual Meeting
and final program event of 2006

will be held on:

Monday evening, December 4th, 2006

Saint James Cathedral in Chicago
Corner of Huron Street and Wabash Avenue
enter on Wabash Avenue (latecomers, enter at 65 E. Huron Street)

A program and the Chapter’s Annual Meeting will be held on Monday evening, December 4 from 6:00-8:30 at the historic Saint James Cathedral in Chicago.

Saint James was built in 1857 at its current location. Largely destroyed in the Great Fire of 1871—the bell tower and walls survived—it was rebuilt and reopened in 1875. Mrs. Potter Palmer was a member of Saint James.

A wine and hors d’oeuvre reception will be held in the narthex of the Cathedral. The Historiographer for the Episcopal Diocese in Chicago will give a short presentation on the award-winning restoration of the English Arts and Crafts interior.

Following the reception and talk, Leslie Goddard, actor and historian, will appear in the person of Bertha Palmer and will welcome guests in the Saint Andrew Chapel. She will present Mrs. Palmer and her life as the doyenne of Chicago’s social elite in the late 1800s. The Saint Andrew Chapel was designed by Bertram Goodhue.

Contact: Beverly Offen, 847-729-3595 bevoffen@oakton.edu

Maymont House Museum
Richmond, Virginia

Nov. 17—Jan. 7

Tuesday-Sunday
12:00-4:30

At this time of year, VSA member, Maymont House Museum, is always decorated in authentic Victorian holiday splendor.  The festive trimmings of the lavishly bedecked tree and the elegance of the opulent dining room are only part of the spectacular display.

For information on special holiday events in December call (804) 358-7166, Ext. 329 or visit the website at www.maymont.org

Institutional Members

The Victorian Society in America is proud to list among its members many historic homes, museums, libraries, historical societies and universities. 

We thank them for their generous support as partners in our mission to keep the spirit of the nineteenth century alive.

A special page is devoted to them where you will find a link to their web sites.   Link: Institutional Members

Business Members
please support our business members

Miscellany

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UNTIL NEXT TIME
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The Victorian Society in America
205 S. Camac Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
info@victoriansociety.org

© 2006 Victorian Society in America. All rights reserved.
Third party material used for scholarly purposes only.