Since the John Gould House has been looking so spiffy this summer, I figured it was the perfect subject for our second Essex Doodlebomb. If you missed our debut Essex doodlebomb of the long gone Essex Horse Nail Company and/or our original doodlebomb introduction which explained what a doodlebomb is, you might want to start with those two posts.
If you’re unfamiliar with this handsome midtown manse, it was built for John Gould around 1833 at the heart of a expansive property which included almost the entire block. Known to many today as the John Gould House, this stately limestone home was constructed in the Federal style but also incorporates some Greek Revival details.
The five-bay Federal facade of the house does not include decorative details of the earlier Federal period but rather weightier proportions of emerging Greek Revival design. (Essex on Lake Champlain)
I will soon post another more detailed doodle illustrating the design elements of the John Gould House (and many other architecturally significant Essex, NY properties). Until then, this whimsical doodlebomb is a haphazard combination of a recent snapshot I took in August, a hasty interpretation of the Greek key motif which you can note in the entrance portico, and a totally inaccurate rendering (apologies due) of the friendly owner waving.
I hope that you’ll feel inspired to doodlebomb Essex and pass along your image for us to share. Don’t hesitate to contact me with questions. Have fun!
Related articles
- Vintage Stereoview: Palmer Havens Gardens (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
I believe this quote is not from my book…I would never describe the house that way, using the unflattering adjective “weighty”! I would say the John Gould house contains classical elements in the refined taste of the Greek Revival style!
Correct, David, you were not quoted. The excerpt I believe you’re referring to was paraphrased from a description that appeared in the “Essex: An Architectural Guide” pamphlet which you will recall was written and published by the Essex Community Heritage Organization (ECHO) in 1986. You can find the citation if you follow the link following the quotation above to the previous blog post about the John Gould House. I suspect your confusion may stem from the fact that the blog and your book have similar titles?
As for the question of word choice, your preference is noted. I consider “weighty” a useful description because it helps differentiate between the two architectural styles, while “refined taste” offers little more than praise. Both Federal and Greek Revival architecture are praiseworthy and refined. Does that make sense? I’m certainly happy to update both posts if you can propose a suitable synonym for “weighty” that you consider less unflattering. That said, I don’t consider this word categorically pejorative. For example, a weighty argument or a weighty sum of gold *almost* always trump the alternative. 😉
Oh, true about the titles…but not about the “weighty”. And after all, the Greek Revival was in full flower by 1825, so it was hardly “emerging” by the 1833 date of the John Gould house. I believe today we would see the Greek Revival as more “architecturally correct” to the original Greek, which does involve more literal weight or metaphorical “weighty”. Also “refinement” is a concept and not a casual adjective in the nineteenth century period. Much too long to twitter on about here!