A CAPITAL IDEA

Doric, Iconic, Corinthian … the crowning glory of classic columns, capitals come in three basic types. In Staunton, Virginia, however, architectural supports come in a luscious array of flavors.
Above is a textbook example of the Ionic style with a fluted pillar. I photographed it in one of the town's historic areas.

At Mary Baldwin College (below), classic style reigns supreme with smooth Doric columns.
Founded in 1842 as Augusta Female Seminary, Mary Baldwin College is one of the oldest institutions of higher education for women in the United States.Here are more stately Doric columns on a Greek Revival home with a double gallery (above).
In Staunton, the decorative treatment above the capitals is the icing on the cake.

As I walked around town, I noticed that brackets were also popular, especially on square pillars.Splayed brackets look airier.
Various ornate bracket styles were used on the Victorian era houses in Staunton. Towers topped several Victorian buildings, too.
The Miller House (above) is now a bed and breakfast. The columns are classic Ionic scrolls.
One of more than 200 buildings, designed by T.J. Collins & Sons, the Miller House was built in 1896 and exhibits noteworthy Chateauesque Victorian architecture.

Although, I may have missed them, I didn't find any leafy Corinthian style columns in town. However the variety of porch supports was truly noteworthy.
These Diamond Patterned openwork pillars were unique (above), as were the extremely ornate carved capitals and split staircase (below).

Hope you've enjoyed your walking tour of Staunton! It was several days late due to a series of computer woes.

AWARD NOTICE
I'm honored to have been named by Barbara of Ramblings From An English Garden to receive the Blogging With A Purpose award. Thanks Barbara. You've made my mom very proud!


*** BLOG DU JOUR ***
Amanda Blake Soule, author of The Creative Family, has just embarked on a 30-day photo quest. You can follow along at Soule Mama.