Monday, January 14, 2008

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.

30 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love columns on houses. I really enjoyed the tour. What a beautiful historic town.

Congrats on your award!! It is much deserved!
Penny

Liz Harrell said...

What beautiful architectural photos! During college I lived in a dorm built in 1912 with big columns and three story porches on each end, I was in heaven.

CIELO said...

How beautiful! I enjoyed seeing all and every photo on your today's post. Thanks for sharing them, Barbara!

Have a lovely day, my friend!

Cielo

NeereAnDear said...

I am thinking that I may just have to take a day trip to Staunton... You have tweaked my curiosity immensely... its not too far from me down I64

LOVE old architecture

HUGS

JO

Anonymous said...

I love the grandeur of columns in an entrance and the brackets give each set it's own personality. Thank you for taking me along.

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

i love columns...any architecture really...the houses are wonderful...thank you for taking us along...blessings today, rebecca

Donna said...

Beautiful pictures! I love all of the architectural detail!
Congrats on your award!
Donna :)

PAT said...

Thank you Barbara!

I am definitely convinced we must go to Staunton VA! Great post!

Pat

Susie Q said...

Beautiful photos and lovely memories...thank you for bring my own memories back into the forground of my thoughts.

IT is a great spot in the world.

HUgs,
Sue

Gail McCormack said...

I certainly did enjoy my walking tour of Staunton! I have a fascination with columns, thanks Barbara for a fantastic post

love.boxes said...

I like the brackets! Fun!

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

What beautiful architectural places you've shown, that's one of my favorite past times is vising towns that still have great vintage homes.

Paris Rags Romance said...

Lovely post, so close to my heart! I have a love affair with Architecture, I have always wanted to paint roses trailing all around one of the beautiful columns, they add so much charm to a home, especially the old chippy ones. I'll await your next post with a purpose :) Kimberly

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara, we wenjoyed the tour of Staunton, beautiful architcture. Jenn and Jacqui

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara, I LOVE it all, the columns, the buildings, the charm. SO,so stately and quaint.
And your award, how nice...:)
Dianne

Rhondi said...

Your photos are just great. I love all the columns, with the different designs. We always called it gingerbread. Staunton sure turned out to be a great photo opportunity for you.

Ruth Welter said...

Thanks for the tour Barbara...I love all the architectural beauty on the buildings and houses, very beautiful.

Mary said...

Barbara,
Thanks for the tour. What truly lovely buildings!
xoxo
Mary

Anonymous said...

Being in construction, it's nice to see the admiration of architecture and also careful restoration that goes into the preservation of these historic buildings. Lovely post. Congrats on the award, it's well deserved (and noted for my own "TMP"!)~xo

NeereAnDear said...

Hi Barbara....when I took that photo I immediately thought of you.... I have a whole series of pictures centered around that fish and something else that is so amazing... it will be a couple of posts from this one... but I know you will love what you see when I post it..

HUGS

JO

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I love all of those columns! I am sending this post to my husband. Our patio cover is U g l y....and I am trying to persuade him we NEED pretty columns. Hope your post will swing the vote. :)
xo Lidy

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

A very enjoyable tour - thanks for sharing! I love all that decorative architecture.

Back Through Time said...

What a wonderful tour! Great photos!
Thanks for sharing them with us.
congrats on your award!
Michelle

Susan Tuttle said...

Oh my!--such amazing architecture in the town of Staunton!--and all of the buildings you featured are in such pristine condition! I particularly loved the Victorian home. I wanted desperately to go inside.

Happy New Year!

Warmly,
Susan

Anonymous said...

I love seeing all the beautiful architecture. Great pictures. There's obviously lots to take in, in Staunton.

Marcela said...

Hello Barbara
Wow...these pictures are Amazing!!!!
Beautiful houses!!
Have a happy day!
Marcela

sherri said...

Yes I enjoyed my trip to Staunton!! I lived in a 1904 HUGE house in Texas growing up and it had some really cool Columns along the wrap-around porch...I wish I could remember what design was at the base and top. I loved that house.... I just ordered some Architextural Rubber stamps for my website, and would you believe I will have one with "The Orders" just as you described! So cool, I will have to name the tags "The Barbara Tags" or something to pay you tribute.....classic! Love your blog sweets, take care xo Sherri

cjan said...

Hi Barbara,

I enjoyed the pictures of all the columns and fanch curly cues!! Now I know what's missing on the front of our house.. Our porch needs some fancy railings and curley cues. Just more to add to the "To Do" list....
Not even mentioning the $'s. LOL

Hugs,
Jan

A Romantic Porch said...

What fabulous pictures. Just love it! Thanks for sharing.

Terri Lee Takacs said...

We used to always stay the night here on our way from Ct to SC. It was a great place even many years ago!