Preservation Pop Quiz: Fisk Farm Edition

Fisk Farm is a historic estate located in Isle La Motte, VT, with an adjoining (historic) marble quarry that began operations in the 1660s. Today the quarry is a world renowned fossil preserve as a Natural National Landmark. The original stone house on the property burned in the early 20th century, but its ruins stand, and later houses and barns remain on the property. Set on the west shore of the island, with a view of Lake Champlain, it is one of the most picturesque spots.

But, like all historic properties, there are some mysteries. Take this stone structure as your next challenge:

img_5345

Set the to the left of the shingle style house in the photo above, this is the mystery object. The remains of the original stone house are in the background of this photo.

What is it? I don’t know, but I’m hoping you do. Some clues: 1) There is only one on the property. 2) Each side looks alike. 3) There are some pipes coming up from the ground. 4) Some of the insets have smaller metal pipes in them. 5) I am not taller enough to see the top.

img_5348

Look alike sides.

img_5342

Close up of the inset into the stone.

img_5344

Another inset. Note the metal pipe.

img_5343

One metal pipe coming out of the ground. This is the only one.

img_5347

Another view.

Your turn. What do you think?

 

Advertisement

Preservation Pop Quiz: Buena Vista, GA edition

It’s been a while since there’s been a Preservation Pop Quiz around these parts. This one is from my travels in Georgia. A group of us attended a local art opening in Buena Vista, GA. The opening took place in a historic building, though the drop ceiling and other modifications hid the original details of the building. But, like the preservationist that I am, I walked around the perimeter of the big room and looked up, staring at a particular corner for a while. Why was this door here and how did it function? I do have the answer to this one, but tell me your impressions first!

First up: the exterior of the building in Buena Vista, GA.

First up: the exterior of the building in Buena Vista, GA.

Storefront of the building.

Storefront of the building.

Exterior of the particular corner that perplexed me.

Exterior of the particular corner that perplexed me.

Interior space for the art opening. Note the fluorescent lights and drop ceiling.

Interior space for the art opening. Note the fluorescent lights and drop ceiling. Corner in question is on the right.

The interior corner, a door.

The interior corner, a door.

Bottom of the door.

Bottom of the door.

Looking up above the door.

Looking up above the door.

Looking up in the same area.

Looking up in the same area.

You can see the door, then the transom, then the ceiling.

You can see the door, then the transom, then the ceiling.

And another interesting feature of this building. Vents beneath the sidewalk.

And another interesting feature of this building. Vents beneath the sidewalk. (Unrelated to the quiz question.)

What do you think?

Friday Pop Quiz (because summer will eventually get here)!

20140404-133207.jpg

I keep this photo on my desk bulletin board. I found it in some files years ago (i.e. credit is not mine).

This is probably an easy one, but a fun one. Quiz: What is this structure? 

 * * * * * * *

And tell me, what are you up to this weekend? Anything fun? Good weather? The snow is practically all melted in Burlington (hallelujah), at least until we get a good April storm. 😉

Georgia Pop Quiz Answer

For the Preservation Pop Quiz, Georgia edition. If you’re following the comments, you’ll see that the answer has already been revealed (from the knowledgeable Andrew P. Wood). However, for those who do not track comments, read on.

Mystery site in Georgia. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

Mystery site in Georgia. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

The mystery structure is a smoke house that was part of the Granite Hill Plantation in Sparta, Georgia. The answer (as well as the quiz) comes from Chad Carlson.

Granite Hill Plantation. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

Historic Granite Hill Plantation. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

The plantation was owned by Andrew Jackson Lane in the 1850s. At the time of the Civil War it had 74 slaves, 22 structures, on 2200 acres. The smoke house was the last remnant of the plantation. The main house was moved to Macon, GA, in 1968, and was destroyed by a fire very soon thereafter. (You can see the smokehouse in the background of the main house.) Most thought it was a jail for slaves because of the bars on the windows. I came across an article on Granite Hill Planation from the “Southern Cultivator” magazine from 1859 wherein it mentions “a two story smokehouse of finely dressed granite.” Since meat would have been the most valuable commodity on the plantation the bars were placed in the windows to keep people out. Given the size of the building it was probably also used for storage of other commodities as well.

Granite Hill Plantation in 1968. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

Granite Hill Plantation in 1968. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

The Granite Hill Plantation house being moved in 1968. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

The Granite Hill Plantation house being moved in 1968. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

The Sparta Kaoline Corporation bought the property in 1998 to mine the granite beneath the building. Stonemason Brent Kickbush was hired to destroy the smokehouse. His attempts to find someone to have the smoke house reconstructed on their property were unsuccessful and the building was torn down.

Want to learn more? Check out this video from Chad.

Preservation Pop Quiz: A Georgian Mystery

Let’s pretend it’s not freezing cold and winter, shall we? (Though if you are a skier, you love this weather, I know.) Turn your attention to the southeast. Georgia, to be exact.

Mystery site in Georgia. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

Mystery site in Georgia. Photo courtesy of Chad Carlson.

What’s your guess?

Preservation Pop Quiz

A pop quiz, of the “this one or that one” type, and why?

All other elements being equal (hypothetically), would you choose:

This railing?

Railing #1

Railing #1

OR this railing?

Railing #2

Railing #2

Please provide your reason for choosing one over the other.

Preservation Pop Quiz

What do you see in this photograph? Need a hint? It’s regional. Vermonters, you should know.

IMG_7956

Of course, bonus points if you know the location!

Preservation Pop Quiz

popquiz.jpg

Bonus points if you know this location!

Happy Monday! Here’s a pop quiz. (Anyone else think actual pop quizzes are just about the worst thing in school? Luckily this if for fun, not grades.)

How would you read this streetscape? Specifically, why is there a fire hydrant in the street?

Pop Quiz Round-Up

Someone get a lasso, because these pop quizzes are out of control without answers. Let’s review, shall we? Some of these have correct answers in the comments already, but I’ll include them here for the purpose of the round-up.  And some could remain in discussion for a while – it would certainly give us cause for field trips and discussions.

(1) Pop Quiz: December 12, 2012 – What is this? 

popquiz1212.jpg

Answer: Wallpaper in a foyer (of the house of a fellow preservationist). This wallpaper covered the entire entry and stairway. It was a bit blinding, as you can imagine. But also incredibly neat. Her compromise? Leave one wall. The date is unknown, but the 1960s or 1970s would seem accurate and it is definitely metallic flocked wallpaper.

(2) Pop Quiz – January 21, 2013 – What is that grooved wood? 

Answer: Novelty siding, which was popular in the early 20th century. This house was built in the 1930s, which fits with the time frame. And it’s exciting to know that it still exists on some parts of the house.

(3) Pop Quiz – April 1, 2013 – Name this object. 

Answer: A boot scraper that remains on the streets of Fredericksburg, VA.

(4) Pop Quiz – April 10, 2013 – Name this object. 

Answer: This is a survey tool for measuring distances, but specifically for railroads; it fits on the railroad track. These are the sorts of things found when the Agency of Transportation cleans house!

(5) Pop Quiz – May 2, 2013 – Name that window type. 

Answer: This is the one everyone has been waiting for, and I hate to disappoint, but I still don’t have the exact answer. Such is the story with architectural history sometimes. The facade of this barn has obviously been heavily altered, with only a hay door remaining of its original fenestration. My instinct says it is not original to the building. I think I’ll have to get the State Architectural Historian to answer this one.  This is located in Wallingford, VT.

(6) Pop Quiz – June 20, 2013 – Which windows are original? 

Answer: The comments are varied, but generally agree that the picture windows are ca. 1950 and a later alteration. The screen door would match the time period of the picture windows. The part that throws me a curve ball is that the windows on either side of the picture windows have muntins that match the color and style of those on the sunroom.  The roofline has been extended over the sunroom, which was possibly just a flat roof extension from the main block of the house. The window above the door is a replacement, which you can read from the two latches/locks. If it helps, this house is in the village of East Burke, VT. My thoughts: the picture windows and the sunroom windows were added at the same time, replacing more traditional fenestration. The window in the gable was a more recent replacement. Do you agree?

(7) Pop Quiz – July 17, 2013 – What is going on in this photo? 

Answer: Blown in cellulose insulation. You can see this easily in colder climates. It’s easier to have it done from the exterior rather than the interior (which would leave plaster to repair, or holes in your drywall). Once you see these, it’s hard to miss. As far as the diamond pattern goes, good eye! Though I don’t know.

Thanks, everyone, for playing these quizzes. The mystery quizzes remain the Wallingford and the East Burke, which are coincidentally both window questions. We’d need to get up close and personal with the building to solve these. As many of us know, we can only determine so much from a street side (or windshield) survey.  Feel free to keep guessing and if I find more to the answers, I’ll share.