Comments for Montpelier Curatorial Blog

Comment on Finishes for 18th- and Early 19th-Century Fences by Gardiner

Gardiner — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:49:20 +0000

Mr. Studenroth,

Good spot and I am actually descended from the Long Island Hallocks and my Grandfather (Harold Hallock) owned a potato farm in Riverhead before moving down to Charlottesville to raise cattle. I’ve only been up there once, but we still have some fairly close relatives in the Suffolk County area.

Here’s the reference I used for the New Haven source: http://books.google.com/books?id=MgECAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA4&dq=new+haven+burying+ground#v=onepage&q=fence&f=false

It’s on google books, so you should be able to find it quickly, but if not it was found in the “Report of the Committee Appointed to Inquire into the Condition of the New Haven Burying Ground and a Proposed Plan for its Improvement” 1839. The original is also found at Harvard Library.

Cheers and good luck with your fence. The split stone posts sound way cool.

Gardiner

Comment on Finishes for 18th- and Early 19th-Century Fences by Zachary Studenroth

Zachary Studenroth — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:05:21 +0000

Hello Mr. Hallock-

I’m working with the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council (North Fork, Long Island, NY) to restore a fence surrounding their Old Burying Ground (18th/19th century). The roughly split stone fence posts survive, but only fragmentary evidence of the picket (pale) system that was attached to them. Can you provide me with your source for the New Haven cemetery fence? And by the way, do you descend from the Long Island Hallocks… very old name out here?

Best regards,
Zach Studenroth

Comment on About by Ted Miles

Ted Miles — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:13:31 +0000

folks,

I see mention of a book on the restoration of the building is in the works.

I think that is a fantastic idea! Your web site coioverage is to be commended; but a book to hold in ones.

Please include the jig saw puzzle stories
of finding so many original pieces of the house in varied places like the mantle piece in the estate out building.

The wood and stone work showed craftsmanship of a level seldom seen in these days of mass produced plastic finsihes.

Ted Miles

Comment on Happy Birthday Mr. Madison by Dan Puroclean

Dan Puroclean — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:23:24 +0000

Don’t miss the 75th annual Montpelier Hunt Races on Saturday, November 7th. Marion duPont Scott started The Montpelier Hunt Races in 1934 on the front lawn of James Madison’s home. The hurdle course features the only live brush jumps in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Comment on Investigations in the Drawing Room by Dan Puroclean

Dan Puroclean — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:15:00 +0000

Thank you for the updates. I cant wait to see the pictures of the entire mansion. Keep up the good work.

Comment on A Date with White House History by Facaderens

Facaderens — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:06:30 +0000

I really amazed with your blog, its really interesting. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Comment on Elevations and Floorplans by montpelierrestoration

montpelierrestoration — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:24:32 +0000

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Price, We're so glad you enjoyed your visit! You can donate to the annual fund online or by mail or phone. We hope that you can continue to visit us and see the house as it transforms.

Comment on Elevations and Floorplans by margaret price

margaret price — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:06:29 +0000

My husband and I have just returned from a trip to C’ville and Montpelier was on the top of our list. It’s going to be a beautiful house and I hope we live long enough to see it brought back to life: painted walls, furniture returned to its first home, etc. Is there a foundation that one can make a small donation to in order to help further the work? Thanks.
Bob and Margaret Price

Comment on Paint Colors used in the Restoration by Reneau de Beauchamp

Reneau de Beauchamp — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:12:13 +0000

Unlike so many other historic sites who withhold their paint colors as if some alchemist’s secret, it is both refreshing and rewarding to see you share your information, in addition to providing their modern equivalents. Such generosity is an invaluable assest to not only the general public, but those as well in the restoration field.
Congratulations – and with deep gratitude!

Comment on Investigations in the Drawing Room by Reneau de Beauchamp

Reneau de Beauchamp — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:52:31 +0000

For quite some months I have been assiduously following your restoration updates – with both delight and encouragement at your academic pursuit of ‘correctness’. In light of the latter, I should care to presume in making a remark on the pre-C20 differentiation between ‘drapery’ and ‘curtain’. Drapery, as I’m sure you’re aware, literally meant that which was ‘draped’ at and/or over a window; what we today generally refer to as ‘valance’. Whereas ‘curtains’ were the fabric panels (usually movable) hanging over the sash, and often frame as well, falling to a length apropos the room or socio-economic status.
Depending on the literate level of C19 commentators, and their readers, this difference between properly applicable terms was well understood.
It was not at all unusual for windows, particularly in formal spaces, to be ‘draped’ and not ‘curtained’.
Your tolerance of allowing me to comment on this issue is appreciated.