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National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton- Emmitsburg, MD
Tucked away in the tiny town of Emmitsburg, Maryland stands a surprisingly substantial shrine to the first American born saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821). In 1805, Seton, a young New York Episcopalian widow and mother, converted to Catholicism. In 1809, she moved to Emmitsburg at the invitation of the Sulpician Fathers, and established a religious community dedicated to the care of the children of the poor; this would be the first congregation of religious sisters in the United States, as well as the country’s first free Catholic school. Today, this site is home to a Basilica, as well as the order’s original farmhouse and school. Completed in 1965, the brick…
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Hackerman House/Walters Art Museum-Baltimore, MD
Built around 1848, the Greek Revival Hackerman House in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood is exceptionally elegant. Already outstanding, updates made in 1892 included modifications to the circular staircase, and installation of a Tiffany skylight, resulting in one of the most stunning, graceful spaces I have ever seen. With soaring ceilings, ornate molding, carved wood paneling and glistening chandeliers, it is the height of sophistication. After falling into disrepair, and cycling through owners, it was purchased by Willard Hackerman in the 1980s, and now functions as gallery space for the adjacent Walters Art Gallery. While in the area, don’t miss the architecturally amazing Peabody library, or the Owl Bar, located in…
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Hillwood Mansion- Washington, DC
Although lovely, the substantial Neo-Georgian Arbemont Mansion was not one of the most architecturally interesting buildings constructed in the 1920s. Although stately and respectable, it did not become truly remarkable until renovated by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Designed to showcase her professionally curated art collection, the mansion contains some of the finest objects money can buy. Built in the 1920s by architect John Diebert for Helen Blodgett Erwin, the 36 room mansion known as Arbemont sat on 25 acres at the edge of Rock Creek Park. In 1926, well known landscape architect Willard Gebhart laid out an elaborate garden to compliment the house, with a strong central axis and…
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National Building Museum- Washington, DC
Oh, the arches. They are absolutely everywhere at the National Building Museum, which is fitting for an organization dedicated to architecture, design, engineering and construction. Originally built to house the United States Pension Bureau, the spectacular soaring space makes for a perfect museum, one where the building is every bit as interesting as the exhibits. Designed by Montgomery C. Meigs, civil engineer and Quartermaster General during the Civil War, the 1887 building is one of the earliest large scale Renaissance Revival structures built in the United States. Intended to administer the benefits for veterans of the Civil War, the building was designed to house a staff of over 1500 people,…
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Alcazar Hotel- St. Augustine, FL
In the spirit of full disclosure, the Alcazar has not operated as a hotel since the 1930s. It was one of the grand Gilded Age beauties constructed by an oil tycoon eons ago. Although the hotel may be long gone, it is not lost. The building now houses the Lightner Museum, which has a wonderful collection of antiques and curiosities from the Victorian era. The erstwhile hotel has been wonderfully restored, with hints of its storied past found around every corner. So while you can’t stay here anymore, it is certainly worth a visit to peek into its past. The Alcazar was built in 1888 by Henry Morrison Flagler, who…
