When Mary Kelly donated this playhouse to the Warehouse, we were bowled over by what she was entrusting to us. Having been handcrafted-porches to balustrades-by her grandfather in 1907, this work of art had been kept safe for generations, and now it was decided that it was time to pass it along to another family to care for and dream over.
What Mary’s grandfather was able to create-the structure, the level of detail, the precision-is a wonder, especially when she tells us that he only got one day off each week from his job manning the tower in a Pennsylvania Railroad yard.
Built in the Italianate style in vogue from the 1840s to the 1890s, this all-wood playhouse measures 24” across, 29” deep, and 24” tall and features 26 real-glass windows and a skylight; eight rooms, including one with a mantel; a staircase; and front and back porches with working doors. A lift-off hip roof and removable floor sections allow the inside of the house to be explored.
The other thing we realized when Mary donated the playhouse was how perfectly emblematic of what we do here at the Historic Albany Foundation it is: preserving and teaching about the old buildings that have become part of our lives and so many lives before.
And because of this and how special Mary’s family’s playhouse is, we’ve decided to celebrate it by making it one of the crown jewels in the virtual auction that we are holding in conjunction with our annual Feast gala this year.
The event will be held at the picturesque and storied Shaker Heritage Society in Albany on June 18th, 2022. Bidding will open online on June 10th and end at 10 pm on the evening of Feast.
Click on this link for more information and to participate: bit.ly/3kvb33W
20 окт 2024
