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205 S. Camac St, Philadelphia, PA  19107 ~ Phone: 215-545-8340 ~ Fax: 215-545-8379


 

EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Holiday Season



Welcome to the  VSA's email newsletter.
 

FROM THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 27, 1899
For a larger version click the article.
 

ANNUAL APPEAL 2007

The VSA makes its annual appeal to members, associates, affiliates and like-minded people to help support its commitment to historic preservation, protection, understanding, education, and enjoyment of our nineteenth century heritage.

Read the President's appeal letter

Please give as generously as possible or at our recommended levels:

□  $35  □  $50  □  $100   □  $250  □  $500  □  $1,000

The full amount of any donation is tax-deductible.

Send checks payable to
'The Victorian Society in America' to:

John Cotton Dana
 

William J. Dane: Bill Dane served as co-curator of A Tribute to John Cotton Dana, Commemorating the Sesquicentennial of His Birth at the Newark Public Library during the summer of 2006.

 

In conjunction with the show, Ezra Shales served as a panelist in "A Tribute to John Cotton Dana" at the Library on July 13.

 

For more on the exhibition see: Exhibit

Ceramic Art circa 1915

Ezra Shales spoke on "Ceramic Art and Technology circa 1915: Charles Fergus Binns and the Alfred Experiment in Context" at the 26th annual convention of the American Art Pottery Association in Syracuse, N. Y. on April 28, 2006.

 

Ezra serves as a visiting assistant professor of art history at Alfred University in Alfred, N. Y., and is a Ph. D. candidate at Bard Graduate Center, where his dissertation topic is "Modeling Culture at the Newark Museum, 1902-1929: Exhibiting 'Everyday Life' and Advocating 'Ethical Consumption.'" 

Peter Trippi previously director of the Dahesh Museum of Art, is now editor of Fine Art Connoisseur.  While the bi-monthly magazine is based in Palm Beach, Peter remains in New York working on various projects including co-curating a major touring exhibition on Waterhouse, to open in at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands in December 2008.

The second edition of his 2002 monograph, J. W. Waterhouse, was reprinted in paperback (Phaidon, 2005).

David Buchta is now historic preservation coordinator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He recently joined the VSA's national board of directors and serves as secretary.

Caroline Hannah received a Jane and Morgan Whitney Fellowship for 2006–2007 from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, to research her dissertation "Between Art and Design: Henry Varnum Poor." She has also been documenting Crow House, Poor's endangered residence in Clarkston, NY.

Carla Yanni contributed an essay, "Learning from the History and Sociology of Science: Interrogating the Spaces of Knowledge," to the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians vol. 64, no. 4 (December 2005).

 

She also received a grant from the Graham Foundation for her upcoming monograph on insane asylums, The Architecture of Madness, to be published by the University of Minnesota Press.

John J. Simonelli: The VSA Executive Vice President was given the President's Award "For his extraordinary generosity of spirit, time and expertise during many years of distinguished service to the Society and for his continuous commitment to preserving and sharing the 19^th Century heritage of America."

Charles J. Robertson served as guest curator and author of the accompanying publication for Temple of Invention: History of a National Landmark (2006) for the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where he was formerly deputy director. The show, which chronicles the Greek Revival style Patent Office Building (1836-1868, Robert Mills, supervising architect) that is now the museum's home, coincides with the building's reopening after an extensive renovation, and is on view until July 8, 2007.

Gretchen Buggeln received the 2005 Abbott Lowell Cummings Award from the Vernacular Architecture Forum for her book, Temples of Grace: The Material Transformation of Connecticut's Churches, 1790-1840 (University Press of New England, 2003).

Bobbye Tigerman is now assistant curator of decorative arts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Richard Guy Wilson contributed an essay, "Mysticism, Alchemy, and Architecture: Designing Laurelton Hall" to the catalogue for The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall: An Artist's Country Estate (Yale, 2006).

Kathyrn Ferry is leading a tour for the Victorian Society of Arts and Crafts summer houses by Edwin Lutyens, Detmar Blow, and others in north Norfolk from March 23-25, 2007.  See: VicSoc Events

Christopher Pollock spoke on "Golden Gate Park: A Stage for Technological Advancements” in May 2005 for the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, and gave a series of four tours for the group covering the park’s history. The society's journal, the Argonaut, volume 15 (Summer 2004), published his “Bygone Golden Gate Park." He also wrote “Preserving Memory: Monuments and Golden Gate Park” for the April 2005 issue of the Cypress Lawn Heritage Association’s Heritage Newsletter.

In September 2005 he lectured on "Golden Gate Park: A Gallery of Victorian Style, Culture and Custom” at the Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, for the American Decorative Arts Forum of Northern California, and spoke for the Winterthur Collectors Circle during a tour of the park.

Julia Dudkiewicz (London '05), assistant curator of the Watts Gallery in Surrey, spoke at the Watts Summer School 2006, "'The Utmost for the Highest': G. F. Watts & His Times," on September 14.

 

Sarah Whittingham (Newport '06) has a forthcoming book on Bristol architect Sir George Oatley, to be published by Redcliffe Press.

"The Intersection of Regionalism and Internationalism - A Living Tradition," the eighth annual Arts and Crafts conference organized by Initiatives in Art and Culture, was held June 22, 2006 in Minneapolis, and featured talks by Cheryl Robertson on Prairie School decorative arts, Richard Guy Wilson on Sullivan banks, and Martin Wachadlo on J. L. Silsbee.

Pauline C. Metcalf has a forthcoming book on Syrie Maugham, to be published by Acanthus Press in 2007 as part of their series on 20th Century Decorators. She spoke on "The Mount and Edith Wharton" at a symposium, "The Berkshires: Retreat and Escape" sponsored by the Decorative Arts Trust on October 27, 2006 in Stockbridge, Mass.

"Preservation: Places and the Public" the second annual symposium of the  Department of Historic Preservation of the University of Kentucky College of Design, was held in Lexington from  October 19-21, 2006, and featured talks by Richard Guy Wilson on "Faux, Modernism, or Mediocrity? Adding to Historic Landmarks," and David Buchta on "Maintaining the Integrity of Our Commonwealth's Architectural Heritage."

Picture: David Buchta.

 

 "Memory and Commemoration in 19th-Century America," the Tenth Annual Salve Regina University Conference on Cultural and Historic Preservation held September 14-16, 2006 in Newport, R. I., featured a keynote address by Richard Guy Wilson, talks by Sara A. Butler on the Pierre Charles L'Enfant Tomb, and C. Dudley Brown (VSA historian) on the Congressional Cemetery, and a tour and presentation on the Channing Memorial Church by James Yarnall. Catherine W. Zipf served as moderator for two of the sessions.

Pictures from the Victorian Society Scholarship Fundraiser 2006
held at
 The Forbes Galleries
60 Fifth Avenue at 12th Street, New York City
 

CALL FOR PAPERS

The 11^th Annual Salve Regina University Conference on Cultural and Historic Preservation: Leisure, Tourism, and the Nineteenth-Century Resort

October 18-20, 2007
 

During the nineteenth century, a new type of community, known variously as watering hole, resort or vacation spot, appeared in the United States.  Stretching from the mountains of Virginia to Newport and Bar Harbor in the East, Tampa and Ocean Springs in the South, the “Lakes” and Mackinac in the Mid-West, and Yosemite and Carmel in the west, these resorts introduced new cultural patterns to existing cities.  Often using innovative commercial strategies, they transformed undeveloped or underdeveloped areas into "natural" paradises aimed primarily at the elite.  Counter to this, amusements incorporated into urban localities reshaped the lifestyles of lower, working and middle class families.  Salve Regina’s 11^th Annual Conference on Cultural and Historic Preservation will examine all aspects of nineteenth-century leisure, resort life and amusement.  

 

Proposals for papers or panels may examine such subjects as:  resort architecture, including the construction and use of recreational buildings; etiquette, manners, and visiting; yachting culture; leisure space within the home; tennis, polo, and golf; hotel life; amusement parks and diversions; and the social dynamics of the Grand Tour.

 

We welcome submissions from scholars of all academic disciplines, as well as from younger scholars and graduate students.  Proposals should include 250-word abstracts and CVs.  Please send proposals by February 15, 2007, to:

 

Catherine Zipf

Salve Regina University

100 Ochre Point Ave.

Newport, RI  02840

Catherine.Zipf@salve.edu

MOBILE, AL 2007
Annual Meeting

Pre-tour:  Wed, April 25th
Annual Meeting:  Thurs--Sat, April 26th to 28th
 Post-tour:  Sun, April 29th

CLICK HERE FOR ITINERARY DETAILS
 

The Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts, 2007
Fall Meeting

Columbus Day Weekend
Friday evening, October 5th through all day Monday, October 8th

N. New Jersey Award Project Vandalized

After surviving 105 years and undergoing a nearly $1 million restoration, the Watchung Avenue Train Station has been hit by vandals.  The project won a historic preservation award in May 2005 from the North Jersey Chapter of the Victorian Society in America.

Read The Montclair Times article

TWO NEW CHAPTER WEB SITES

THE NORTHSTAR CHAPTER
 

The Alumni Association (left) and the Northstar (above) chapters each have newly designed web sites.

 Click the images to visit.

The North Star Chapter

www.northstarvsa.com/index.htm

 pictures © 2006 Kit Cusick

 

Located in the Greater Minneapolis/Saint Paul area, the North Star Chapter celebrates the 19th Century with a variety of events involving and promoting historic locations. 

 

The area abounds with restored sites such as the newest property of the Minnesota Historical Society – The Mill City Museum. It is the site of the former “GOLD MEDAL” flour mill along the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The “flour tower” elevator tour is an innovative concept not to be missed. Its central location and conference room are very convenient for meetings in a setting of generous hospitality.

One of their signature events is the annual Twelfth Night Gala Ball held next year on January 6th, 2007. It attracts many guest revelers to the organization for a post-holiday evening of dining and dancing.  Invitations are accepted to “Promenade” at leisure in vintage attire for community and historic celebrations, usually staging of the “Pit Spitting Challenge”, a bit of hilarious nonsense in the Victorian spirit.

The North Star Chapter has also successfully nominated two Upper Midwest sites for VSA Preservation Awards.

They also publish a newsletter to announce and report the activities and opportunities of the Northstar Chapter.  If you have any questions or comments or would like more information, email: info@northstarvsa.com

Sunday, December 10th, 6:30 p.m.| Christmas Celebration
President Geraghty's Residence, 992 St. Clair Avenue, Saint Paul
RSVP to kgeraghty@fmcbank.com

VSA Northstar President Mr. Geraghty is hosting a Holiday Party. The evening will include after-dinner entertainment provided by the guests such as poetry readings, short theatricals, literary recitations, musical performances, and other talents within period context. They may even do some caroling in the neighborhood.

Saturday, January 27th | Victorian Fashion Seminar
Ms. Mary Brown’s Residence, 3566 Blue Jay Way #206, Eagan, MN 55123

Do you need Victorian unmentionables? The chapter is offering a free informational meeting "foundations of Victorian dress, the first step.." to get you ready to create your own!  They discuss Victorian undies, where to buy them, and how to make your own. This will be the first of a series with an end goal of having a complete fashionable Victorian lady's ensemble.

Contact Ms. Mary Brown at 651-681-9499 for more information.

METROPOLITAN CHAPTER OF THE VICTORIAN SOCIETY IN AMERICA
P.O. Box 1629, Gracie Station, New York, NY 10028 Telephone (212) 886-3742
 

Free illustrated lectures are offered by the Metropolitan Chapter. No reservations are needed for the lectures at the Donnell Library Auditorium, 20 W. 53^rd St., New York City, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The nearest public transportation is the Fifth Avenue stop on the E and V subway lines. There is one  remaining lecture in this Fall's series:

 

Tues., Dec. 12, 6 PM:
The Cooper Union Building and Architectural Terra Cotta in the 1850s by Jay Shockley, staff member, Research Department, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and Susan Tunick, president, Friends of Terra Cotta.

The Cooper Union of the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City was constructed in 1853-58 for industrialist Peter Cooper to the design of Prussian-born architect Frederick A. Petersen. Surviving architectural terra cotta in the building marks the singular importance of this material in the first phase of its American manufacture in New York in the 1850s, decades before its widespread use.

Further information on any of the programs may be obtained by calling (212) 886-3742 or visiting the website www.metrovsa.org.  Contacts: events@metrovsa.org Hilda Regier (212) 242-2622

Located near the historic village of East Aurora, New York, is one of the area’s most beautiful bed and breakfast inns, a grand old Victorian with Italianate influences.

Like the surrounding western New York area, it contains much history - dating back to the early settlement of the area. 

Now owned by VSA member Peter Dunlop, The Lilacs sits majestically atop serene landscaped surroundings, and is the essence of a country estate.

For more information visit them on the web at:
THE LILACS

FROM THE UK VICTORIAN SOCIETY
 

Gavin Stamp authored The Memorial to the Missing of the Somme (Profile, 2006), a monograph on Lutyens' Thiepval Arch. The book was reviewed by Catherine Croft in the July 7, 2006 issue of Building Design. Gavin made two television documentaries for Britain's Channel Five: "Pevsner's Cities: Liverpool with Gavin Stamp," which was broadcast on January 18th, 2005, and "Pevsner's Cities: Newcastle with Gavin Stamp" which was shown on March 15, 2005.

 

He continues as a monthly contributor on architecture for Apollo; recent subjects include John Betjeman (January 2006), and Isambard Kingdom Brunel (September 2006). Gavin also reviewed From William Morris: Building Conservation and the Arts and Crafts Cult of Authenticity, 1877-1939 in the November/December 2005 issue of Crafts; the book was edited by Christopher Miele and contains essays by Miele as well as Alan Crawford.  

Hermione Hobhouse, whom many members will remember from the Annual Meeting in St. Louis, spoke for the John Betjeman Society at the Art Workers' Guild in London on May 25 and June 22, 2006 on "John Betjeman-Architectural Enthusiast."  She also appeared as guest panelist on the BBC Radio 4 program In Our Time, speaking about the Great Exhibition.

  WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

 

 

The "little mountain"

 

Apparently not satisfied with writing the Declaration of Independence, being delegate to the Virginia General Assembly & Congress, Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice-President, and of course, President for eight years, Thomas Jefferson found time to design his own neo-classical house with no formal training.

 

He called it Monticello (literally little mountain) and you can explore it by clicking on the link below: not Victorian but a superb Webby Award winning historical site worth noting.

http://explorer.monticello.org/

PREVIOUS WEB SITES OF THE MONTH
 

THE NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES

  AND FINALLY..

According to John Brockett's Glossary of North Country Words (1825) whittee-whatteeing is low and private speaking between two persons to the exclusion of a third, especially when procrastinating on frivolous pretenses.

So your staff of one at the email newsletter exhorts you to watch your whittee-whatteeing at this time of year when shopping is not unknown.  Because, as sociologist Daphne Dale tells us in Our Manners and Social Customs (1891), "Whisperings in a store are in very doubtful taste." 

Also, Dale informs us, merchants feel disdain for the practice of browsing: "It is held to be unladylike to enter a store unless you have a real errand. To go in "just to be going" is rude and unnecessarily annoying to proprietor and clerks." 

Better then to stay home and shop safely online at Amazon.com and help the VSA..

Happy Holidays!
 

To benefit the VSA purchases must be made within 24 hours of clicking on an Amazon.com link in this newsletter or on our  web site.

Are you campaigning to save a threatened building? 
Seek a VSA Letter of Support.

Let us know what you think of the e-newsletter and what you like to see in it.

UNTIL NEXT TIME
visit us on the web at www.victoriansociety.org

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