Placesetting

Civil War Museum

Vicksburg was the site of a critical victory by the Union late the Civil War. The town was key to the control of the Mississippi river. The Vicksburg National Military Park and National Cemetery are just outside of town and here, on the banks of the river in downtown, is a museum recounting the historic events. 

Across the way

This picture is in keeping with my photo blog style, but is is really a follow-up to yesterday's post.

Shown is the building from which James Earl Ray made the fatal shot. 

The well known picture that is forever seared in my memory is of the scene 180 degrees from the above viewpoint... that of the balcony showing Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson and others pointing across the way toward the location of the perpetrator. 

The Lorraine

Perhaps the most well-know motel that is no longer a motel. This of course is where Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. The property is now operated as the National Civil Rights Museum in downtown Memphis. 

Capital

>

Parker seed

Theater lighting

Both decorative and theatrical lighting at the Florida Theater in downtown Jacksonville Florida. The historic 1927 theater was recently restored and updated. Stage lighting is now all LED providing more efficiency and flexibility. There was also plaster repairs and a complete repainting as well as new seating. Turns out modern theater goers need wider seats than was provided a hundred years ago.

Canoe for sale: Half off!

The Richardson

Originally an insane asylum and New York State Hospital built in the late 1880’s. After standing abandoned for about 40 years it was extensively restored and updated at great expense into a first class hotel. 

The building was designed by the famous architect Henry Hobson Richardson and the grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Now known as The Richardson Hotel. 

Beautiful but still a little spooky. 

Hotel Opus XVI

Back from a trip to Scandinavia and have a number of photos to share. Pictured is a hotel in Bergen Norway... a re-purpose of a fine old historic building.

Fancy tile

Tile is from Hemingway's home in Key West. I was told some of the tile was from a bowling alley in Havana, but I am not sure this is the specific section. It is, however, quite decorative.

When a theater becomes a drug store

Pioneer bridge

The Pioneer bridge was built in 1891 by William West Durant to honor his father, Dr. Thomas Clark Durant who was instrumental in the completion of the transcontinental Union Pacific Railroad. William was an active promoter and innovative developer of great camps in the central Adirondacks. 

We approached this on glassy Eagle Lake as we paddle toward Blue Mountain Lake.

To the point

The Treasury

The Treasury on the Plaza started out life as a bank in St. Augustine. It is now an event venue that hosts weddings, but is still an impressive building in downtown and the tallest structure for many miles. The terracotta/orange color is found on many buildings in St. Augustine making the elaborate architecture seem well integrated with the other historic buildings in the area.

Window box

East Coast Railway Foreman’s House #93

Our local history museum includes a small collection of buildings from the early days of Jacksonville beach (Beaches Museum History Museum and Park). It also includes a 1911 steam locomotive and tender, station, a chapel and several other buildings. It is a pretty nice collection and interesting way to spend an hour or so. Details of some of the other building are below. 

St. Augustine Light

The lighthouse tower was built in 1871 as a replacement for the original light constructed in 1824. The current light was extensively restored in the 1980's as a non-profit along with a museum and several additional buildings including the keeper's house. It is a favorite destination for tourists when in St. Augustine.

Rubens at the Ringling

One of the highlights of the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota Florida is several large (huge?) paintings by the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens. This canvas it titled The Triumph of Divine Love.

The museum was a gift to the state of Florida from the man famous for his circus, John Ringling. Today the art collection is made up of over 28,000 items covering a wide variety of periods and styles, and well worth a day-long visit.

Radiator on tile