Historic Structures

Structures of the Architectural Style Gothic Revival

Academy Building, Fall River Massachusetts

The Academy Building, also known as Borden Block and Academy of Music, was constructed by the Borden Family, textile entrepreneurs of Fall River. The prominent structure, with Ruskinian Gothic details, was designed by Hartwell and Swasey of Boston In 1875. The Academy of Music, located within the block, was a local cultural center, housing performances by nationally renowned actors and actresses as well as concerts, lectures and civic events. After World War I, the auditorium was used predominantly for movies. It was modernized in 1946. The building was restored in the 1980s, the offices were converted into apartments and the theater portion was demolished.

The Academy of Music opened its doors on January 6, 1876, boasting the second largest stage in Massachusetts. The opening program was the Theodore Thomas Orchestra. Ushers were drawn from the young scions of Fall River's most prominent families, including Jireh Borden, Billy Handcock, Billy Edgar, Levi Lawton, John Burrell, George Bamford. Music continued on the Academy's program, and O. Elton Borden brought the Boston Symphony Orchestra to Fall River every year in the 1880's, always at personal loss.

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All Saints' Episcopal Cathedral, Milwaukee Wisconsin

All Saints' is one of the nation's earliest Episcopal cathedrals. Gothic Revival in style, it is one of Milwaukee's older surviving churches and an important early work of the architect, Edward Townsend Mix. Noteworthy features of the interior are the stained glass windows, dating largely from the nineteenth century and forming, through the consistency of their compositions and color schemes--dominated by deep, rich hues--an exceptionally harmonious ensemble.

The edifice was built as Olivet Congregational Church, and, according to a contemporary newspaper account, it was acquired by the Milwaukee Episcopal diocese June 1, 1872 for $35,000. Contracts for the construction of Olivet Church were signed on July 16, 1868, and the cornerstone laid on August 27 of that year. Dedication services were held in November of the following year. The Milwaukee Sentinel for November 26, 1869, reports that the church, lots, and organ cost, in all, some $66,000.

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Augustus Donnelly House (David Harum House), Homer New York

It is widely accepted that David Hannum, owner of the house, was the inspiration for the title character of "David Harum", a novel by Edward Noyes Westcott. Westcott's father knew Hannum and many of the events and places in Hannum's life appear in the novel.

Hannum was bom in Preble, New York, in 1823. He was married twice, first to Charlotte Hancock. They had one child who died at the age of eight, and shortly thereafter his wife died. He was married again to Lois Babcock, but the child of this union also died.

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 Calvary Episcopal Church, Homer New York

 Calvary Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee Wisconsin

 Chapel of St. Mary The Virgin, Nashotah Wisconsin

 Church of the Holy Cross, Troy New York

 Congregational (now First Unitarian) Church, New Bedford Massachusetts

 Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Pennsylvania

 First Unitarian Church, Milwaukee Wisonsin

 Fordham Manor Reformed Church, Bronx New York

 Hall-Spring House, Northfield Massachusetts

 Immaculate Conception Church, Burlington Wisconsin

 Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee Wisconsin

 Jason Downer House, Milwaukee Wisconsin

 Lace House, Black Hawk Colorado

 North Point Water Tower, Milwaukee Wisconsin

 Springside (Mathew Vassar Estate), Poughkeepsie New York

 St. James Episcopal Church, Milwaukee Wisconsin

 St. John Chrysostom Church, Delafield Wisconsin

 St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Metuchen New Jersey

 The Meadows/Leacote, Rhinebeck New York

 Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Milwaukee Wisconsin