Built to last... Colonial Williamsburg.
"Therefore when we build, let us think that we build (public edifices) forever. Let us not be for present delight, nor for present use alone, let it be for such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, "See! this our fathers did for us." ~ John Ruskin, Seven Lamps of Architecture--The Lamp of MemoryI wish I could remember exactly which building in Colonial Williamsburg this picture is from. I thought the paint color was so wonderful and loved how the small door-like window simply interrupted the wall and yet, kept the flow of color going.
Williamsburg has been a favorite place to visit for some time, even before my daughter was born. I remember getting on the buses from the visitor center and then having to walk to the Duke of Gloucester Street to see all the sites. I love how the historic buildings are preserved and restored and that privately owned homes are intermixed with those that can be entered. It can create an embarrassing moment though. I remember one Christmas when we were looking at all the lovely fresh decorations and wreaths and I walked into one yard and up to the door and tried to open the door and... well, it was a private home. I didn't see the little placard that said... "private residence"... oops!
Anyway, it was only after Nyssa started at William and Mary that I discovered we could simply walk down the street from the school and into the heart of the historic area. No busses, no parking a mile away. Wonderful. She had full access to all the buildings and exhibits and we spent several wonderful days walking and exploring and sipping hot apple cider and hot chocolate during the winter and finding hidden places in the palace gardens in summer. It was on one of these lazy walks that I found this building. I can't remember if it is part of the wheelwright or the cooper's shop, or if it is simply a private shed. No matter. It is a small piece of history to experience and remember.
(end of post)
Carmi's Theme "Parallel"
12 comments:
That is supposed to be a beautiful area of the country that I would like to visit.....
So that is a window? It almost looks like a kind of vent. I love the color, I would call it mauve. And it looks like painted metal, I would love to know what the building is used for.
I, too, love the single continuous color- it's beautiful. I actually thought of Nyssa and you yesterday because Rich and I were at a wonderful exhibit about the Cherokee Indians and their sad treaty history with the British. There were some lovely drawings of William and Mary College! It runs through November at the North Carolina Arboretum- perhaps you need to come for a visit and see for yourself?
That's not a color you see often on a building. I've never been to Williamsburg but it's on my list! http://looseleafnotes.com
that flow across the image is lovely
we have a word: "mooching"....wandering around and looking/ peeking/ peering into/discovery/finding
i love mooching and esp through areas where in another age people have lived another way...
VERY apt for the theme. When we lived in Norfolk, we had to take every visitor to Williamsburg. I got so very tired of going there, but we went back about 10 years ago and it was a lot of fun to see how it had grown.
the pink wall and matching window is something I would have never done to a building. but it is awesome. it looks like a work of ART to me. worthy of framing for a wall. beautiful
love the hazy yet eloquent beauty of your first photo, and the details along with pretty in deeper pink building! Beautiful parallels!
I love it too : )
It's weird but I finished my post and thought I must go and visit SRP and then your comment appeared on my blog. I usually post at lunchtime at work but for awhile now I have had trouble with blogs loading on the computer at work and yours is one of them. I am off work sick today though and happy to be here. I am going to look back though your posts now. I love your photos. You have such an eye for colour and texture, like a little shuttered window in a pink wooden wall. Beautiful.
I too love the colour.
And I also love the quote that you chose. Such wise words that have me thinking differently on what I may build. My grandfather never built buildings but he was a carpenter of sorts and loved to make small pieces of furniture. He must have lived by these words fore some of his peices live on today. A small little girl's rocking chair that he made for my mom now resides in my home. It is treasured.
I love the feel of this shot. The color has such a texture to it that I find myself completely drawn in.
Mr. Ruskin's words will echo in my head the next time I lift my lens to a building near me. How true.
A great collection of stripes!
Post a Comment