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Tag Archives: architecture

A Visit To The Duke Mansion; A Charlotte, NC Historic Inn & Meeting Place

Picking up the key to our suite!
Picking up the key to our suite!

AMERICAN PRESS TRAVEL NEWS  Charlotte, N.C.-Barb and I always like to experience the fine mom and pop B&B’s, resorts and middle of the road hotels and motels across America. However, sometimes we enjoy visiting the finest upscale, restored hundred year old homes and older. The architecture and landscaping of a different time, and mind-set, be they diminutive, or sprawling (The Duke Mansion is 32,000 Square feet, nearly a full acre of home) of the highly successful business magnates (now gone to bed in history) of the ilk of Guggenheim, Rockefeller, Loews, to name a few, that were able to afford the utmost in real estate and grandiose homes, now turned into guest accommodations. The Duke Mansion is such a place in time and space. With 14- original acres back in 1915 and today, gardens of roses and flora mirroring the past gardens, rooms with soaring ceilings, and huge windows with brass hardware of delightful industrial Revolution, art era design, juxtaposed near today’s comfortable beds and modern bath facilities-and at a price per day and evening, reasonable enough for any special occasion and exclusive visit.

Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd "B" stands for!

Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd “B” stands for!

We pulled into the curved driveway with easy parking, stopped for a picture of Mr. Duke’s original shooting fountain (Duke of Duke Power fame, said his Rolls Royce, Daughter Doris and his fountain was what he was most proud of) and were ensconced, thanks to the delightful concierge into a charming room with chocolates on the bed and homemade cookies and beverages just outside our door. After relaxing and looking over the grounds (So much history, so little time!)  We headed for a highly recommended restaurant; Five Church for dinner! What a delightful meal awaited us after the Valet did the parking: Maine Lobster for Barbara, Scallops, and their 60-second New York Strip for us too (we share everything, and compare notes and tastes). Great service by Brian, our wait guy! We tried shrimp flat bread for appetizer and wonderful tomato bisque! Everything was “multi belle.” www.5church.com Entrance at 5th Street and Church St. 704-919-1322.

IMG_5200Duke Mansion is located at 400 Hermitage Road Charlotte, NC 28207 www.dukemansion.com 888-202-1009

Checking out the Duke Mansion
Checking out the Duke Mansion
Aroma of rose, and Barb was in heaven!
Aroma of rose, and Barb was in heaven!
Almost like a fairy tale!
Almost like a fairy tale!

A Visit to the Wright-Rosenbaum House in Florence,

P1030729APtravelnews-October-28th,-Florence, AL.–As part of our tour of Florence, AL. we were introduced to a few of the Museums of the city of Florence. The first location we visited was The Wright-Rosenbaum House Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the only Wright house in Alabama. The home is one of the earliest Usonian designs, the house has been called one of the purest examples of Wrights unique style. What we saw was a house that was built where design, form and function melded beautifully with its surroundings. One of the features (and there are many unique features for the  times is circulating piped hot water embedded in the concrete floor and heavy use of brick, glass and gorgeous Cypress wood that resists pest infestations. (footnote) I had taken in a course in Architecture in the 1960’s and remember thinking then after seeing a photo in my architecture school book was the Rosenbaum House. I admired it then and now was actually able to visit, some 53-years later.

For learned people, a terrific library is a must! Notice the indirect natural lighting!
For learned people, a terrific library is a must! Notice the indirect natural lighting!

When the house was completed in 1940 there was a view of the TN. River. Today other homes and trees have obscured that view, never-the-less the wonderful landscape today is in perfect sync with the house today. The home was expanded as the Rosenbaum family grew and Wright was asked to design an addition which he flawlessly created to match the original plan. From 1940 to 1999 the Rosenbaum families were the sole occupants. Today it is the property of the City and is a museum accessible to everyone. There is an admission charge. Go: www.wrightinalabama.com  www.florenceal.org  256-718-5050

Stay with us, see the next music oriented museums in our next posts!

One of the Wright designed wood chairs (an extra) sold for 35-thousand at auction. It was sold to pay for some repairs on the home.
One of the Wright designed wood chairs (an extra) sold for 35-thousand at auction. It was sold to pay for some repairs on the home.

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No ordinary home. The family were ensconced in a piece of modern, functional art!
No ordinary home. The family were ensconced in a piece of modern, functional art!
A side view!
A side view!