I fell in love with this house at first sight. A few months ago I posted a crooked picture I took while hanging out of a moving truck. I promised then that I’d go back sometime and take some better pictures. While I did snap a few of these, most were taken by Dirt Man. I learned that this is the P.D. Gwaltney, Jr. House established in 1901. Pembroke Decauter Gwaltney, Jr. was of the meatpacking industry. I believe the home still remains in the Gwaltney family. It is an elaborate version of the Victorian Queen Anne style. It is also on the historic register of Virgina. This link will provide you with all the architectural details and terms that I don’t know.
According to the register, “copper finials project from the tops of the conical shaped turret” and, “a decorative tile roof with a scalloped ridge crowns the house”. Need I quote any more than that to make you fall in love with it?!
Apparently, there is a walking tour of the historic homes of Smithfield, Virginia. I guess that means I will have to take a visit to see them all. Here are a few others. The sidewalk was closed for repairs and the street narrow (not to mention the low hanging electrical/telephone wires) which made taking good photographs difficult. Yes, I even stepped into the street unknowingly as a car whizzed by. See, I almost got myself run over just to deliver these photos for you! I hope you enjoy this tour as much as I did!
Great houses…great photos.
I would love to live in a house like that. I actually lived in one similar but not as elaborate until I was about ten.
fun to dream. grt pics. i think one of my heavenly mansions will be modelled after that red brick one
That’s an awesome one, too!
Those are great houses! I like the round bumpouts (I’m blanking on the real name) on the first house, but I like the last house the best.
I don’t know the archtectural terms either!
Alameda has a wealth of historic Victorian homes too. I love the very elaborate Queen Anne’s most of all. We live in a modest Victorian “stick” home, sometimes called an “Eastlake” Victorian. They take a lot of TLC and I’m so glad they are being treasured for the living history they are.
THe old homes do require a lot of upkeep, but they’re so dang gorgeous!
Gorgeous! I will add Smithfield to my list of must-sees next time I make it back to Virginia. Glad you didn’t get run over.
They are a sight to behold! What part of VA do you visit?
I am drooling!
I was, too!
I l;ive in condo by the sea world in Miami. Rows of sun-bleached dominoes waiting to be toppled by the next category 4 or 5 hurricane. These houses in your pictures have character and soul and enchantment. On the negative side they all have ghosts as well.
Ah, the ghosts just add to the character! No, I’d prefer mine ghost-free!
I can certainly see why you fell in love with these marvelous mansions. The architecture is divine. I love looking at these types of homes. They are so stately and regal. Homes just aren’t made like this anymore.
They sure don’t make things like they used to!
I love the last white one — what a wonderful place for kids to play hide-and-seek, as well as for writers to hole up in some nook and be creative! One nice thing about living in an “old” state like Virginia is the beautiful architecture; my area is more filled with ranch-style homes (which don’t have near the appeal!). Thanks for sharing them!
That one really does have lots of possibilities!
Loved these.
Like me, you try to keep the wires out of the photos: The sidewalk was closed for repairs and the street narrow (not to mention the low hanging electrical/telephone wires) which made taking good photographs difficult.
So, here’s my question: why do so many painters actually paint telephone wires in to watercolors and oils when they could be easily omitted?
Wierd, right?
Maybe to make them more realistic? I want to push them out of the way so I can see detail!
I was going to photoshop the lines out, but never got the chance.
You’ll get over it…I did!
OMG……..I’m shvitzing over these photos, Suzi!
They’re HEAVENLY! And yes, I think I do remember you posting one a few months ago.
I adore a Victorian style home. There is something so royal and regal, yet at the same time very cozy, warm and inviting.
I think if I had to chose my favorite of these homes, it would be the first one. I absolutely LOVE the decorative tile roof with a scalloped ridge crowns. And also the rounded windows. They’re faaaaaabulous!
Thanks for sharing, my friend! Thoroughly enjoyed!
X
Wouldn’t it be just fabulous to get an inside tour? I’m all excited just dreaming about it!
That last house is perfect for me! Now to just pick up my life and move…
Me, too! If only it were that simple!
I love them, houses made for storytelling!
Absolutely!
You were right, that house is gorgeous. I would love to live there! The architecture and the detail are so beautiful, and so different from what we have out west. Thanks for risking your life to take these pictures. I’m glad you shared
They really don’t make houses the way they used to…unless you are quite wealthy!
what a house!!!!!!!
thanks for sharing these exquisite shots suzi. i am cleaned bowled by that person’s taste.
You are welcome. Amazing, huh?
Love the photos. Such great architecture back then. I always wondered what it would feel like to live in such a house.
I’ll bet it would inspire creativity! If Carl is right about the ghosts, there’d be lots to write about!
Wow, so Victorian and romantic looking, what a beautiful house!
It would be really cool to find a B&B at a house like that and stay there.
Beautiful houses! I fell in love with a house recently, but it’s a dilapidated run-down one that’s been abandoned for forever. I took pictures and Luke is doing a drawing of it for me.
I would love to live in one of those old houses!
♥Spot
That is so cool that Luke is drawing it for you…and I expect to read a creepy story (as in scary and zombies) you’ve written about it.
Love it. I rarely talk about my “real” job, but part of it entails working with communities to help them preserve their historic, traditional characters. It may be surprising to a lot of people to know how communities struggle with how to do this, when so much of the responsibility can rest with the individual private property owners. Bravo to the owners of these homes!!!!!!!
I do know it requires a massive amount of paperwork. My cousin purchased one of those home, restored it, and registered it.
I love visiting old houses, I love imaging what life was like back then and how people lived there. We have a lot of stately homes here to visit!
It’s a wonderful imaginative journey, isn’t it?
Ooooo! I love the Gwaltney house! I wonder what it looks like inside.
I saw some of the rooms on the internet…was for sale a few years back…gorgeous!
Wow! Great houses. That last one seems more modern to me. I love all the balconies! I am guessing there are even more on the other side!
Looks like a great country estate that should have tons of kids running around it.
I love the intricate detail of this house. Very nice.
Thanks so much for taking me there too. I loved it! I also have picture proof of you Jaywalking in front of that oncoming car! LOL
Yes, I’m kind of afraid that you have that power of that photograph at your disposal!
I can see why you fell in love with these. I love all the detail, and admire those who have so lovingly restored them.
Aren’t they gorgeous?!