Richmond, Virginia is a pretty traditional town --all red brick and manicured lawns. This single block on Kensington Avenue that I pass on my daily walk is unique in that the houses are all made of wood. The overall appearance is like a portion of the restored community of Colonial Williamsburg situated about 60 miles to the East.
Williamsburg was the first capitol of Virginia before the government moved to Richmond in 1780. For 81 formative years, from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political, cultural, and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies. Through the influence of Thomas Jefferson, the seat of government of Virginia was moved up the peninsula to the safer and more centrally located city of Richmond. For nearly a century and a half afterward, Williamsburg was a simple, quiet college town, home of the College of William and Mary.
In 1926, the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, shared his dream of preserving the city's historic buildings with philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., and the restoration began. Nowadays it is a destination for schoolchildren, history lovers and tourists looking for a quieter pace.
This is a long way around to tell you why these houses look like they have been plucked from the pages of a history book. I've never been inside any of them, but it is fun to walk past them all.
They also look very similar to many in the area which I grew up in- all built in the same time and era. I remember visiting Williamsburg many years ago. Lovely place. And this is a lovely collage.
This is an awesome collage, Allison. Great way to present a lot of great shots at once. This is lovely. I've been there and I fell in love with Va and the beauty of it all.
How beautifully well-kept these houses are. I presume they're in what we call a 'conservation area' which puts restrictions on what can be done to them.
October 7th, 2011
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