Savannah Chapter of Victorian Society in America

I was happy to read a note in the Davenport House Facebook page that mentions Peabody & Stearns:  Country Houses and Seaside Cottages, as well as my connection with this wonderful Savannah house museum.  Take a look:  http://www.facebook.com/notes/davenport-house-museum/new-savannah-chapter-for-victorians-forms/10150219238737259?ref=nf

The Davenport House certainly deserves a second look if you are not familiar with it!!

Victorian Society Summer School!

This week I was a featured speaker at The Victorian Society Summer School program held in Newport, Rhode Island.  It's a wonderful program----10 days of lectures, walking tours, and field trips!  A fabulous experience for adults of all ages.  I attended as a student in 1998, and have been asked twice to come back to lecture on Peabody & Stearns--I NEVER refuse an opportunity to join this group!  We toured a private home designed by Robert Peabody in 1885, and then I spoke on the firm:  "An Architect's Sketchbook" included background information on the partners, an overview of the firm's commissions, and some wonderful sketches and plans and elevations that related to the homes in Newport.  For more information on The Victorian Society in America, check their website, http://www.victoriansociety.org/, and for info on the Summer School program, click http://www.victoriansociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=77.
Newport, Rhode Island is the perfect place to speak on Peabody & Stearns---they had at least 20 summer "cottage" commissions there during the period of 1870-1917, and many of the homes are still extant.  Salve Regina University owns several--Althorpe (now Founders Hall, photo above), Vinland and The Hennery plus farm buildings (now Macaulay Hall, and Stonor and Drexel Halls).  Thank goodness the University is there to be such good a steward of the historic architecture in town.  Check their website http://www.salve.edu/ for more information about their buildings and their programs!  Other Peabody & Stearns designed homes are private homes, and one is an inn and restaurant.

Another Peabody & Stearns house on the market!

I received word over the week-end that Merrywood, in Lenox, was auctioned on Thursday, May 26.  No word yet on the result of the auction proceeding, but you can read Nini Gilder's account at this link to the Berkshire Eagle:  http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_18141556?source=most_viewed.  As soon as I know more, I'll give you the rest of the story!!