Category: architecture

Riverdale

cm0917-2036-riverdale

“…built as an addition to a small mid-nineteenth century frame house on Riverdale Drive
in Charlottesville for Minnie M. Barnes in 1912. The addition features rock-faced concrete
block quoins, a concrete block foundation and a tetrastyle portico without
capitals or bases.”- K. Edward Lay

For over a century this house sat on a bluff of the Rivanna, facing east toward
the Free Bridge. It has been torn down in the last few days. What next for this
lot at the eastern entrance of Charlottesville? A drug store?

riverdale site
Entrance corridor. Welcome to beautiful Charlottesville. This the former Riverdale site.
Cleared.

framework street?

Ian Lockwood
I wish I was going to Buffalo next week for CNU 22 , confab of new urbanists. My closest approach
was sitting in a room with Ian Lockwood this past week.

framework streets
Ian shared his transportation philosophy, spoke earnestly about connectivity, and showed a map
that alternately intrigues and terrifies. What exactly is a framework street? Reserving judgement until it is
possible to learn more. Does the finish detail of the Duke of Gloucester Street qualify for a modern framework street?

network
Some new wine doesn’t belong in the old bottle.

Palmer Hall

built in 1911

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The congregation of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church was officially organized in 1911
under the guidance of Rev. Zebulon S. Farland. That same year a simple brick chapel was
erected near the end of Grove Avenue to house the group. As the neighborhood near the
church grew, so did the congregation; thus in 1921 planning for a larger structure was
underway. A lot west of the chapel, at the corner of Grove Avenue and Three Chopt Road,
was purchased. The same year Rev. Giles B. Palmer assumed the duties of rector , which
included overseeing the construction of a new building.–VADHR

This the place where my mother’s memorial service will be held February 22, 2014.