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MHDC ENews: April 2010                             Volume 2 Number 4
Greetings!    
April is a month of change for the Mobile Historic Development Commission as we prepare to say goodbye to our current officers and begin the election process for next year.  This is always a bitter-sweet moment as we say goodbye to our dedicated leaders, and reflect on the program of work they spearheaded over the past two years. 
 
The entire Commission would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have served us: President, Rennie Brabner; Vice President, Celia Lewis; Secretary, Joy Klotz and Treasurer, Felix Vereen.  These people have dedicated hours of their time attending Commission meetings and executive committee meetings, advocating for preservation throughout Mobile, and working to make sure the Commission functions to our highest level of effectiveness.  They have taken their responsibilities very seriously, and have focused on the mission of the MHDC.  For all of this, we are very grateful. 
 
Also, save the date for the Barton Academy Open House on May 26.  We invite everyone to attend this event.  If you haven't been inside Barton Academy, this is a wonderful opportunity.  
 
And as always, we hope that you will share our ENews with your family and friends who enjoy and support historic preservation.  Please feel free to pass along this electronic publication and encourage everyone to subscribe.  It is our hope that this communication tool will help keep our community updated on preservation issues and special events.
Mobile Side Hall Houses with Wings
by
Cart Backwell, architectural historian

"A man's home is his castle." "Home is where the heart is." While these are often heard clich�s, there is a measure of truth to both expressions. The home is a dominant theme in American architectural history and practice. From the basic need of shelter to the American suburban ideal, a preoccupation with housing is unavoidable. It is a typology to which anyone can relate and take interest. The variety of periodicals devoted to the subject testifies to the continued interest. A trip to the grocery store proves that that house magazines almost out number the tabloids in the checkout aisle.

Tabloids aside, in early nineteenth-century America residential design varied from region to region. During the Antebellum era, Mobile possessed two dominant residential house types: the Creole cottage and the side hall with wing. Historians have spilled much ink over the origins and evolution of the Creole cottage. Despite many surviving examples in the DeTonti Square and Church Street East Historic Districts, the Mobile side hall house with wing has been relatively ignored.

Hallet House on Government Street, Facade
2250 DeLeon
Gaines-Quigley House on Government, Facade
Gaines-Quigley House, Facade
 

What is the Mobile side hall with wing? When viewed from the street, the Mobile side hall with wing is a basically two story row house with a recessed wing to one side. The Hallet House and the Gaines-Gilmore-Quigley House (the Junior Miss Headquarters) are two Government Street examples of the genre. There is more than meets the eye than merely a handsome facade. As evidenced in both Hallet and Gaines-Gilmore-Quigley houses, two story wings are located to the rear. These rear wings functioned as slave quarters and kitchen houses. While not as visible or as finished as the main house, these service wings were integral component in the use and value of the larger residential compound.

Like the Charleston single house and the New York row house, the Mobile side hall house with wing constitutes a unique tresponse to the demands of a particular local. Originally built for Mobile's planter-mercantile elite, these houses make still make delightful homes. Many have been converted to offices. Whether a home or an office, the Mobile side hall with wing provides a charming setting for modern day living.

Gaines-Quigley House, Rear & Side Wing
2250 DeLeon
Hallet House, Side View
Hallet House Side view
 
 
 
Please watch for expansions and copies of Blackwell's articles at the MHDC website under "Publications".  Coming soon.
MHDC Welcomes Two New Commissioners
The Mobile Historic Development Commission would like to welcome two new Commissioners to our rank.  Fred Renfrey and Frank Leatherberry have joined the Commission as representatives from Main Street Mobile.  Fred, is a member of the Downtown Alliance Staff and serves as their Director of Downtown Economic Development.  Frank is a longtime member of the downtown workforce.  His background is in land-use management, and he currently works in the shipping industry.  They will be serving a four year term on the MHDC.   
Barton Academy Update
The Barton Academy Historic Preservation and Restoration Committee has been quitely working to lay the ground work for their grass roots advocacy movement.  
 
The Save Barton Academy Facebook page is now up and running.  Over 300 fans have joined since the page was developed.  The Facebook page announces events and news, and gives participants a venue to share their memories of Barton.  Most importantly, it is being used to collect Barton alumni contact information for the Barton Alumni Assocation that is in the early stages of formation. 
 
Stacy Wellborn of Wellborn Ideas, a member of the public relations committee, is currently working on a new website for Barton.  The new web address is www.savebartonacademy.org.  It will be up and running in the next few weeks.
 
Save the date: Barton Academy Open House is being planned for Wednesday, May 26 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in celebration of Historic Preservation Month.  Watch for more details in the May edition of ENews.
ARB at a Glance
The Architectural Review Board is continuing to work hard to protect our historic districts.  Here is a look at their body of work for March 2010.
 
Total Applications                        
Applications Approved by Staff -  27       
Applications Reviewed by ARB - 11         
Applications Approved by ARB -  6        
Applications Tabled by ARB - 2                  
Applications Denied by ARB -  3           
Applications Withdrawn - 0                      
Applications in Design Committee - 0     
Applications Appealed - 0                    
 
Applicants estimate the proposed job costs for renovations and improvement to homes and buildings in districts, under the Architectural Review Board's jurisdiction, will cost an estimated .  To date, an estimated $485,522 in construction cost have been spent in our historic districts.
 
For more information on the Architectural Review Board, and for a schedule of meetings, please visit the MHDC website at www.mobilehd.org.
Leinkauf Historic District adds new signage 
If you have driven down Government Street in the past few weeks, chances are you have noticed the new signs posted on the streetlights bordering the Leinkauf Historic District.  The signs, posted along the perimeter of Leinkauf, are a lovely addition to the district and help identify the boundaries of this historic area. 
 
Melissa Thomas spearheaded this effort for the neighborhood association.  Melissa not only organized the development and installation of the signs, she also oversaw the planting of the new shrubs around the base of the light poles where the signs are posted.
 
Congratulations to Melissa, and to the Leinkauf Historic Neighborhood Association, on such an ambitious project.  We would also like to thank Councilman William Carroll for his support and his financial contribution to project.   
 
   
Alabama Historical Commission's Annual Report published 
The Alabama Historical Commission published their 2009 Annual Report and the Alabama Historical Commission 2010 Federal Work Plan in the January February edition of Preservation Report, their newsletter. 
 
The 2009 Annual Report includes visitor statistics from the AHC historic sites, a recap of website hits for the year, volunteer hours logged by their dedicated volunteers and preservation project updates.
 
Highlights from the report include:
AHC added 1,545 historic buildings, sites and structures to the Alabama inventory.
AHC secured $380,000 in national funding for AHC-owned historic sites.
AHC listed 11 new entries in the National Register of Historic Places.
 
To review the report in it's entirety, and to read the 2010 Federal Work Plan, please visit the Alabama Historic Commission's website at www.preserveala.org.  
 
   
Alabama Historical Association to meet April 15-17
The Alabama Historical Association will convene in Gadsden this year for their Annual Meeting.  The conference will begin on Thursday afternoon, April 15 and continue through Sunday, April 17, and be held at the historic Crosspoint Community Church.  This year's conference will bring together historians, both avocational and professional, for a weekend of presentations, break-out sessions and tours. 
 
To register, visit www.archives.alabama.gov/aha/gadsden_registration.pdf; or contact Debbie Pendleton, 334-353-4693, [email protected].
George Washington Carver exhibit at Museum of Mobile is great educational experience 
The Museum of Mobile has brought the acclaimed George Washington Carver exhibit to Mobile.  Along with an overview of Carver's life, the exhibit has a complete schedule of supporting events designed to enhance every museum goer's experience, from children to adults. 
 
During the month of April, visit the Museum of Mobile during one of these planned activities: 
April 17 - Botanical Drawing Workshop from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
April 21 - Our Own Destiny Garden from 9:00 a.m. until Noon
April 24 - Earth Day Celebration from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
April 27 - Our Own Destiny Garden from 9:00 a.m. until Noon  
 
The George Washington Carver exhibit is organized by The Field Museum in collaboration with Tuskegee University and The National Park Service.  For more information, visit the Museum of Mobile's website at http://museumofmobile.com/. The exhibit will be open through July 4. 
Historic Mobile Preservation Society to Celebrate 75th Anniversary
The Historic Mobile Preservation Society will be celebrating their 75th Anniversary with a party on Thursday evening, May 20, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at the Museum of Mobile.  Tickets are $75 per couple and $40 a person.  For more information on the event please visit www.historicmobile.org

From Fort to Port - now available at Bienville Books
Bienville Books, 109 Dauphin Street, now has several copies of Elizabeth Barrett Gould's From Fort to Port, An Architectural History of Mobile, Alabama, 1711-1918.  This book is a 'must have' for preservationists and history buffs.  If you don't have this edition in your personal library, now is the time to grab a copy.  From Fort to Port is out-of-print and copies are hard to fine.  The book retails for $39.00.    
Calendar of Events
Old Dauphin Way Historic District
April 25 - Annual Picnic, 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Little Sisters of the Poor
 
Oakleigh Garden District Society
April 27 - Black and Blues, 6:00 p.m., Washington Square.  Tickets $50 per person, BYO Wine.  This event is a fundraiser for OGD.  Proceeds will go to the restoration of the fountain in Washington Square. 
 
Historic Mobile Preservation Society
May 20 - 75th Anniversary Party, 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Museum of Mobile.  Tickets are $75 per couple and $40 per person.  For more info visit their website at www.historicmobile.org.

To submit events, please forward information to Mobile Historic Development Commission at [email protected].  Please include contact information. 
To Subscribe
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Sincerely,
 

Rhonda Davis
Public Relations Chair
Mobile Historic Development Commission
In This Issue
Mobile Side Hall with Wings
MHDC Welcomes Two New Commissioners
Barton Academy Update
ARB at a Glance
Alabama Historical Commission's Annual Report published
Alabama Historical Association to meet
George Washington Carver exhibit at the Museum of Mobile
HMSP to celebrate 75th Anniversary with party
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