Historic White Mountains NH Inn Offered for Sale Called “An Important Source for Gustav Stickley’s Bungalow Designs”
The historic Wildflowers Inn in North Conway, NH, built in 1879, was an important source and key model for Gustav Stickley’s early 20th century bungalows, according to Daniel D. Reiff, author of "Houses from Books: Treatises, Pattern Books, and Catalogs in American Architecture, 1738-1950: A History and Guide." Built for eminent 19th century jurist and historian, James Schouler, the cottage is largely intact, with the original floors, doors, moldings, heating pipes and radiators, windows, and most of the walls. It is offered for sale at $845,000 by Badger Realty (www.badgerrealty.com).
North Conway, NH (PRWEB) March 12, 2005 -- A house that may have helped to
inspire Gustav Stickley’s bungalow designs is being offered for sale. The
historic Wildflowers Inn, located in North Conway, New Hampshire, was built in
1878 for noted 19th century jurist and author, Dr. James Schouler (pronounced
Skooler), who used it as a summer home until 1920.
The Schouler home was
featured in the March 1879 issue of "The American Architect and Building News."
There is no doubt that Stickley saw the design there, according to Daniel D.
Reiff, author of Houses from Books Treatises, Pattern Books, and Catalogs in
American Architecture, 1738-1950: A History and Guide, and professor of art
history (retired) at the State University of New York College at
Fredonia.
“I consider that (house) one of the most important sources for
Stickley bungalows developed in the early 20th century, and it was one of the
key models for the Stickley bungalows.” Today Gustav Stickley is easily the
best-known American proponent of the Arts & Crafts movement.
For the
most part, the original Schouler cottage has remained intact, with the original
floors, doors, moldings, heating pipes and radiators, windows, and most of the
walls, although slight additions have been made. In a July 2001 interview
published in The Conway Daily Sun, Reiff is quoted as saying that the exterior
of the house “is so well preserved, there’s the possibility it could qualify for
the National Register of Historic Places.”
Victorian Stick-Style
Architecture
Originally called “ Kilbarchan,” the Schouler cottage was built
in the Stick Style, an important but relatively rare style in American Victorian
architecture that dates from 1860-1890. (The style wasn’t so named until the
1950s, when the term was coined by Vincent Scully.) The home was designed by
Worcester, Massachusetts architect Stephen C. Earle (1839-1913), who also
designed the original Worcester Art Museum building, as well as numerous
churches and public buildings in that city.
That March 1979 issue of
"The American Architect and Building News" included a full page illustration
containing a perspective view, floor plans and an interior detail, along with
this description: “This cottage built during the past season, is situated near
the Interval House (a neighboring grand resort hotel) and commands a charming
prospect of the Saco (River), the meadows, and the mountains. It is designed as
a quiet summer residence, and has been treated very simply, inside and as well
as outside. The finish being of white pine without paint and the floors plain
hard pine. A. Thurber, of North Conway, was the contractor. The cost was
$5000.00.” (A replica of the article is shown on the Wildflowers Inn website, www.wildflowersinn.com.)
The landmark home is not the
only mark Schouler left on North Conway. He helped found, build and support the
North Conway Public Library; and donated money to purchase Cathedral and White
Horse Ledges, which are part of Echo Lake State Park. He also donated money,
which was used to purchase land in front of North Conway’s landmark railroad
station for use as a public park. Today Schouler Park is used year-round for
sports, festivals and other events.
Wildflowers Inn Offered for
Sale
Today the Wildflowers Inn commands one of the finest views in the Mt.
Washington Valley. The Inn includes 9 guest rooms, all with private baths,
innkeepers’ quarters with two-car garage and mature perennial gardens. The
property is offered at $845,000 by listing agent David Cianciola and Ed
O’Halloran of Badger Realty in North Conway. Qualified interested parties can
reach either agent at 603-356-5757.
Badger Realty
Since 1965, Badger
Realty has been a leader in residential and commercial real estate in the Mt.
Washington Valley, including North Conway, Jackson, Bartlett, Glen, Conway, and
neighboring communities in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and western
Maine.
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Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb217147.htm