An American Legacy 1840-1920
A Local Survey in Douglas County Kansas
Compiled 1986 to 1988
Eileen M. Smith, President of Quality Renovators
An American Legacy 1840-1920
A Local Survey in Douglas County Kansas
Compiled 1986 to 1988
Eileen M. Smith, President of Quality Renovators
American decorative architectural glass is a significant and valued element in the evolution of our built culture. From 1840-1920 was a time of prosperity and growth. It was a time when many lasting settlements were being established in the midwest and in the nation.
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People were striving to promote national and local pride. In their homes and offices they expended a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and resources to provide a beautiful and elegant expression of cultural wealth for their own enjoyment as well as the enjoyment of patrons and friends.
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Commercial Buildings
American Cement Plaster Company Building
Decorative glass is one form that expression took. H. Weber Wilson in his book "Great Glass in American Architecture" describes this craft and its development as a unique American art form which continues to bring pleasure and comfort within our local offices, churches and homes. It is an invaluable cultural artifact.
Religious Buildings
Methodist Church - Lawrence, Kansas
Decorative glass found new forms of expression in the religious architecture of American cultural development.
The origins religious art glass date to the 1400s at Chartres Cathedral in France.
RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES
The Pozdro Residence - Adjacent the Henley Home
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Home is where the heart is --during this era homes were elegantly crafted to provide a haven of comfort and beauty. The example of beveled glass shown above is in a home in Old West Lawrence. It was built in the 1880s by Albert and Eleanor Henley. Mr Henley eventually became President of the American Cement Plaster Company.
Decorative glass provided -and continues to provide a unique dimensional element in "The Home as a Heaven Below". This is the title of an exhibit of American Decorative Window Glass 1860-1890 now on display at the time this was being written at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC through July 19, 1987.
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Join the walking tours through the Oread Neighborhood and Old West Lawrence where decorative window glass continues to enhance the daily lives of the resident of these homes, as well as provides a dynamic contextural document of American cultural development.
(Photo to be inserted here.)
A transom made in 1890 -drawn by local artist -Vicki Vormehr.
Thank you for the cooperation of home and building owners in sharing with us. EMS
American Window Glass in Plymouth Congregational Church -Designed ca 1870
Dove In Flight Carrying An Olive Branch
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This foregoing is the text from a brochure that was circulated in the Douglas County Kansas Area Summer of 1987. Numerous responses from around the nation were returned over the next two years. Due to time restraints and resources, this project has been dormant for several years. I am taking this opportunity to revive it for several years with the long-term goal of publishing a book of the survey of decorative antique architectural glass compiled. We are also interested in looking at modern pieces and will refer to the evolution of this American Art Form in the final chapter.
Orders For Photographs In Clips & Glass Are Available
At the Following Pre-paid Prices:
SIZE PRICE SHIPPING08X10 $50 $10 11X14 $75 $10 16X20 $125 $15 20X24 $175 $20 30X40 $250 $25 Wall Murals Estimate Upon Request DOUBLE PRICE FOR
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PLEASE SEND YOUR ORDER
Eileen M. Smith, M.Arch. Decorative Antique Architectural Glass Survey (DAAGS)
ALLOW FOUR TO SIX WEEKS FOR DELIVERY |
If you would like more information or would like to have a stained glass window included in this study, please send the location, a description of the window, a photograph if you have one and when you would like it documented. We will provide photo credits for photographs submitted by other photographers. Other architectural photographs available at Seven Cities In Four Nations. Photograph number three on that page is not available.
Thank you for your interest and example contribution.
Eileen M. Smith, M.Arch. Copyright © 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992 All Rights Reserved
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Giralda Tower In Seville Cathedral
Andalucia Region of Southern Spain