Architecture
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FLW’s Martin House- Buffalo, NY
For years I have been meaning to visit Buffalo, New York. It's a bit of an architectural promised land to me, with all manner of historical home styles scattered around the city. While I still haven't made a proper Buffalo visit happen, I was recently able to do a quick overnight, which included a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House. It definitely left me wanting more: more of the city, more FLW house tours, and more of the Martin House complex. I will return.
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Richardson Hotel- Buffalo, NY
In the mid 1800s, Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride introduced the novel idea that pleasant surroundings could aide in the treatment of the mentally ill. He envisioned beautifully landscaped campuses, with thoughtfully designed, attractive buildings. While the hospitals proved to be less than effective, his formula works perfectly for hotels- the new use for the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, now known as the Richardson Hotel.
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UVA Rotunda- Charlottesville, VA
The Rotunda at UVA is the most classic of all NeoClassical architecture. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, who was inspired by the work of Andrea Palladio, it still shines over two hundred years after its construction.
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Mt. Cuba Center- Hockessin, DE
The Brandywine Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. It is home to countless gardens, some very well known, some hidden gems. Mount Cuba falls somewhere in the middle. It certainly isn't as busy as Longwood Gardens, which feels like an amusement park; nor is it a pocket park, with limited plantings. Rather, Mt. Cuba sits in the sweet spot- several acres of immaculate gardens and limited crowds.
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Ladew Topiary Gardens- Monkton, MD
Ladew Topiary Gardens are absolutely enchanting- a real life Alice in Wonderland experience. Consisting of a series of seemingly endless gardens, it feels almost dreamlike to wander the grounds here.
