Synopses & Reviews
This ambitious book tells a richly detailed story of Houston home life and culture from the settlement of Harrisburg and Houston in the 1820s and 1830s to World War I, when rapid economic development and modernization began to spell demolition for many notable nineteenth-century houses and public buildings.
The authors discuss landscape and horticulture, the development of domestic architecture, the evolution of home interiors, and domestic life, and its influence on the social and cultural fabric of the city.
Houstons Forgotten Heritage stands out because of its integration of architecture, landscape, social history, and interior design, along with the authors ability to place Houston within the broader context of American history.”Texas Architect
. . . a solidly researched, enlightening work.”Houston Chronicle
Synopsis
This ambitious book tells a richly detailed story of Houston home life and culture from the settlement of Harrisburg and Houston in the 1820s and 1830s to World War I, when rapid economic development and modernization began to spell demolition for many notable nineteenth-century houses and public buildings. The large section of illustrations shows examples of cabins, cottages, bungalows, and mansions, inside and out, from the Ashbel Smith house, built in 1830, to the mansions on Courtlandt Place, Houstons first enclave subdivision.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 325-361) and index.
About the Author
DOROTHY KNOX HOWE HOUSTON is a direct descendant of Jane Birdsall and John Richardson Harris, the family for whom Harris County is named. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and holds a Master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of the Junior League of Houston and is active in numerous other civic and cultural group. She is also the author of The Houston Club and its City. BARRIE M. SCARDINO BRADLEY has served as executive director of the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects, as editor of Cite: The Architecture and Design Review of Houston, and as architectural archivist of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center at the Houston Public Library. She now resides in Beaumont, Texas. She is also the coauthor of Claytons Galveston. SADIE GWIN BLACKBURN is a direct descendant of Harvey Allen and holds two degrees from Rice University. KATHERINE S. HOWE is director of the Rienzi and Dora Maar House at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.