The most exciting part of my trip was seeing my cousin again after 30 years. Yes 30 years, I was in Junior High and my cousin was in her 50's at the time. We not only got to visit with her but we got to stay at her house for two nights! At her VICTORIAN house!! The house was built in 1876.
A closer look at the front porch and its detail work/fretwork...
Below is a view from inside of the beautiful stained glass transom window and the stained glass window in the door...
and the beautiful staircase with the newel post lamp...
A little peek into the parlor. The french mirror is so pretty and the glass dome with two dolls wearing corn shuck clothing inside was also a favorite. Her gilt french chair is a beauty too!
I won't show her whole house but I will show a few of my favorites with you.
This chair with its elegant bullion fringe...
This Meissen monkey band set...
and this wonderful calling card holder. This piece is original to the home and has that owner's monogram on it. Or at least I think that's the story I was told.
Here are few of the other historic homes in the neighborhood.
This Italianate style house was built in 1872...
and the owners built two neighboring homes for their two grown children back in 1876, one of those two being the home that I stayed in (the white one)...
A closer look at the veranda on the first home. Look at the chandeliers and statues! Just gorgeous!
Moving on around the block is this Queen Ann with a turret...
And this Queen Ann with a turret...
I couldn't get a good shot of this one because of the tree but it is a beauty also.
A great front porch/veranda on this one...
and a matching carriage house...
This one is the Governor Duncan Mansion, built for the Governor and his wife in 1834. Abraham Lincoln visited here often. The DAR gives tours of this house, but it was not open while I was in town and I was not happy about that. But oh well.
This one is kind of a mix between Eastlake style and the Aesthetic Movement. A little dark but I still like it.
Just look at all the windows on this one side...
And I have saved this house for last. The gate is open, enter if you dare...
this one looks like it came right out of a horror movie. As you can see it is quite overgrown, not abandoned though, and quite the eyesore for this historic neighborhood.
Here is the town's beautiful County Court House. It has the Mansard style roof.
In 1849 my ancestor's (and many others) came to this town from Mederia Island, located just off of Portugal. There's even a road named after them now.
We visited the Genealogy Library to get some information and I spotted this beauty. I offered to take it off their hands if it was in the way but they didn't take me up on it. Shucks!
It is a feather wreath and is huge, maybe 4'x4' or so.
We got more information by visiting the city cemetery. I think our ancestors take up half the cemetery!
While looking around, I spotted from a distance this stone...
I had to have a closer look for I had never seen anything like it before and trust me, with a mother who has done family history my whole life, I have been to quite a few cemeteries!
Two precious little ones, side by side. The daughter is holding a rose in one hand and her other arm is around her younger brother. So sweet but yet so very sad.
The stone reads...
In Loving Remembrance of our Darlings
Gertie May Samuel James
Williams Williams
July 30, 1905 Oct. 16, 1912
July 30, 1905 Oct. 16, 1912
We had a great visit with our cousin and she and I have so much in common, our love for the Lord, our love for our family and our love for Victorian houses and antiques. I'm so glad I got to visit with her as an adult, I could never do that before because 30 years ago I was a kid. I'm looking forward to our next visit.
I would like to thank Sandi over at ROSE CHINTZ COTTAGE for featuring my dollhouse from my Victorian Girl's Room post on her HOME party. Thank you Sandi!
I am joining the following parties. Please come and join in the fun.
AMAZE ME MONDAY with Cindy at DWELLINGS
WHAT'S IT WEDNESDAY with Paula at IVY AND ELEPHANTS
HOME with Sandi at ROSE CHINTZ COTTAGE
TREASURE HUNT THURSDAY with Pamela at FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HOME AND GARDEN THURSDAY with Kathy at A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
HOME SWEET HOME with Sherry at THE CHARM OF HOME
SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY with Cindy at MY ROMANTIC HOME
PINK SATURDAY with Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND