Architecture

[Slideshow] From Wild to Whimsical: The Gargoyles and Grotesques of Washington National Cathedral

Posted on: May 20th, 2013 by National Trust for Historic Preservation 1 Comment

 

By Linda S. Glisson, Assistant Director for Information Resources, Main Street

Washington National Cathedral. Credit: Linda S. Glisson
Washington National Cathedral

As a passionate photographer and preservationist, I’m always on the lookout for fascinating buildings, from the funky to the sublime. Washington National Cathedral, winner of this year’s Partners in Preservation contest and also one of our National Treasures, is definitely the latter.

From the light streaming through stained glass windows and bathing the interior in a rainbow glow to the fantastical creatures that adorn the outside, National Cathedral is a photographer’s dream. Every time I visit I discover something new. And no wonder: There are 112 gargoyles, the last completed in 1987, and more than 3,000 grotesques and other architectural carvings.... Read More →

National Trust for Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded non-profit organization, works to save America's historic places.

[Sitings] The Philip Johnson Glass House: A Transparent Experiment in Architecture

Posted on: April 27th, 2013 by Mame McCully No Comments

 

Open seasonally, the Philip Johnson Glass House offers tours, special events, and related programming to the public. Visitors can join them for the 2013 season beginning May 2. Credit: diametrik, Flickr
Open seasonally, the Philip Johnson Glass House offers tours, special events, and related programming to the public. Visitors can join them for the 2013 season beginning May 2.

From May through November, the National Trust offers the Philip Johnson Glass House's 47-acre campus as a catalyst for the preservation and interpretation of modern architecture, landscape, and art; and as a canvas for inspiration and experimentation honoring the legacy of Philip Johnson and David Whitney.

If you're traveling to or around New Canaan, Conn. soon, plan your visit to this exceptional site. Or, if you're eager to start exploring, wander around the property virtually with this week's slideshow.... Read More →

Mame McCully

Mame McCully is a marketing manager at the National Trust. Her heart is forever in the Midwest, but she loves to travel, explore new places, and spend time with family and friends.

[10 on Tuesday] Buying a Historic Home: What’s Your Style? (Part 2)

Posted on: April 16th, 2013 by Emily Potter 9 Comments

 

Part Two of our architectural style digest (read Part One here) offers definitions and examples of houses from approximately 1855 up to 1960.

When you’re looking at historic houses, it’s important to remember that many are not exactly a single kind of style. You’ll discover that some have used other materials or details not found in the technical definition, or alterations, additions, and updates have melded two different styles together.

These nuances and variations are what make each historic house special and oftentimes historically significant. So preserve them, celebrate them, and enjoy them!... Read More →

Emily Potter

Emily Potter is a copywriter at the National Trust. She enjoys writing about places of all kinds, the stories that make them special, and the people who love them enough to save them.

[Slideshow] Historic DC Church Gets a Mural Makeover

Posted on: April 12th, 2013 by Emily Potter 6 Comments

 

Alex Brewer, better known as HENSE, is an Atlanta, Ga.-based graffiti artist who took to Washington, D.C.’s city streets last year for a private commission to transform an abandoned, historic church into a work of art.

blog_photo_HENSE_studio
HENSE in his studio.

... Read More →

Emily Potter

Emily Potter is a copywriter at the National Trust. She enjoys writing about places of all kinds, the stories that make them special, and the people who love them enough to save them.

[10 on Tuesday] Buying a Historic Home: What’s Your Style? (Part 1)

Posted on: April 9th, 2013 by Sarah Heffern 5 Comments

 

Last week, we kicked off our series on buying a historic house with a toolkit focused on how to find the right new-to-you home, and this week, we’re moving on to the next step -- identifying the kinds of properties you might find.

Naturally, with the United States being as large as it is, there are a lot of architectural styles to cover. If you’re looking for a home built between approximately 1620 and 1890, today’s post is for you. Tune in next week for part two, which will get through the mid-20th century.

And because architecture, like preservation, comes with a lot of jargon, look for definitions and links throughout for more information.... Read More →

Sarah Heffern

Sarah Heffern is the social media strategist for the National Trust’s Public Affairs team. While she embraces all things online and pixel-centric, she’s also a hard-core building hugger, having fallen for preservation in a fifth grade “Built Environment” class.