Historical Architecture

Historic Architecture in PA: Log Buildings

This article is a part of a series from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s excellent field guide on the historic architecture found in Pennsylvania.  In it, they’ve assigned key periods of development – from the Colonial period in the 18th Century to the Modern Movements of the 29th Century.  This article focuses on an overview of the …

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Historical Architectural Styles: Which one is your favorite?

  Historical architectural styles range from quaint and inviting to intimidating and forbearing, delicate and refined to stately and prominent, traditional and elegant to funky and modern.  Which one is your favorite? After you answer our poll, you can go take this very fun quiz that determines which architectural style reflects your personality. [polldaddy poll=6646588] …

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Haunted Historic Buildings: Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital, c.1851

In honor of the ever-approaching spooooooooky Halloween holiday, we’ve been highlighting haunted historic buildings (or historic buildings that by all rights should be haunted) for you to virtually explore so you don’t have to meet the ghosties face-to-face. One of our recent blog posts was about the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia – the state’s first …

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The Ruins of Eastern State Penitentiary

The other week, Lois, Danielle, Katie, and Karri’s family took a field trip to see the ruins of the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.  A nearly 200-year-old prison that looks like an abandoned castle and held scores of the dangerous, morally bankrupt, and sometimes the completely innocent for about 150 years… does it get any …

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Jeffrey Dahmer's Childhood Home is Up For Sale

For the month of October, we’re going to feature Spooky, Creepy Preservation in honor of Halloween.  We’re kicking off the month with perhaps one of the creepiest buildings in our built history – Jeffrey Dahmer’s childhood home.  Not technically the historic building our posts normally feature, but this post by Guest Blogger Sarah is still something worth contemplating.   …

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The Future of Preservation in Pennsylvania

Do you know what the future of preservation in Pennsylvania is?  Did you know we have a strategic plan for preserving our places here in Pennsylvania?  We do, it’s called “Pennsylvania’s Statewide Historic Preservation Plan 2012-2017”.  Here’s the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s overview slideshow presentation of the plan. [slideshare id=13842954&doc=pennsylvaniastatewidehistoricpreservationplan2012-2017-120802150346-phpapp02&type=d]

Traditional and Vernacular Architecture in PA

This article is a part of a series from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s excellent field guide on the architectural styles found in Pennsylvania.  In it, they’ve assigned key periods of development – from the Colonial period in the 18th Century to the Modern Movements of the 29th Century.  This article focuses on an overview of the …

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Walking Through Lancaster's History

  Lancaster’s rich history and diverse architectural styles are a virtual feast for the eyes.  Have you experienced them lately?  Now that the weather is turning, we are all looking forward to spending more time outside.  These walking tours from the City of Lancaster’s website are the perfect way to do so.   A Walk …

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Another War at Gettysburg

Here’s an interesting debate, one that we’ve discussed before when researching Independence Hall preservation.  This time, the debate is hitting a little closer to home. Gettysburg, specifically.  The Cyclorama Building at Gettysburg, more specifically.   For those who aren’t familiar, the Gettysburg Cyclorama is a 360-degree painting by French artist Paul Philippoteaux that depicts hallmark moments …

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