Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Catskills Vernacular Architecture Challenge #6


Here's the challenge.  Where is this wonderful late 19th century residence?  Can you identify it?  This is just one example of the quality of ordinary (aka vernacular) architecture in the Catskills Region. Our focus does not need to be on the mansions of the rich and famous to find interesting architecture, but rather on the houses built by members of the community.

This house has a number of characteristics of a popular Victorian-era house style called "Queen Anne":  wrap around porch, multi-color trim, stained glass, a "terra cotta" frieze over the porch steps, a corner or bay window, and a multi-faceted roof form (as opposed to some of our earlier challenges that were shaped like a Monopoly hotel).  But this house may carry the name of a style variant because it lacks some Queen Anne elements, especially rounded features (a turret, the shape of the porch) and it lacks shingle siding mixed with its clapboard siding. So the safest style is "Victorian."  Extra points if you determine the proper variant and give your reasons! Remember that for now all challenges were built as residences, most are in villages, and are likely to be on or near the highways I travel most often: Route 28, Route 23, Route 30, and Route 10.  


Notice the elegant leaf motif in the "terra cotta" frieze above the porch steps. Terra cotta is in quotes because I'm not sure that is the actual material on this house, though real terra cotta is often found on Queen Anne houses.


If you correctly identify this house by calling me at 607-326-4206 or e-mailing vscheer@juno.com and describing its location, you will win a prize!  I'll dedicate a song to you on my radio program, Catskills Folk, alternate Tuesdays at 7 pm on WIOX 91.3 FM or on-line at wioxradio.org.  


No comments:

Post a Comment