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The Accidental Preservationist

An unexpected journey

From Shopping

12.01.2018

Holiday Guide to Gifts that Give Back – Supporting Historic Preservation in Charleston, SC

Finding the perfect holiday gift for everybody on your list can be a challenge. To help with this endeavor, I complied this holiday gift guide – best of all, these gifts support the preservation and research work being done by three of my favorite organizations here in Charleston, SC: Drayton Hall, The Charleston Museum and…

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What is The AP?

Join me on an unexpected journey in restoration and research at the circa 1810 Simon Jude Chancognie House in Charleston, South Carolina and beyond.

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Founded in 1746, Augusta Parish, now Trinity Episcopal Church, is the oldest congregation in Staunton, VA. The present building was completed c.1855 and is the third church on the site. Designed by British architect James Wood Johns, later additions and renovations have altered the original Gothic Revival appearance. The church has an impressive array of stained-glass windows dating from its construction to the Arts and Crafts period to a dozen windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The church is regularly used for concerts and I was fortunate to enjoy an early keyboard performance here that was part of the @stauntonmusicfestival. #theaccidentalpreservationist

In 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land including Natural Bridge from King George III for 20 shillings. While determining exactly how much that is in today’s dollars is complicated, suffice to say that Jefferson got a great deal. During the 19th century, this limestone gorge carved by the Cedar Creek was a frequent destination for tourists from Europe and a popular subject matter for painters such as Frederic Church who whose 1852 view of Natural Bridge is iconic. Natural Bridge remains privately owned with the Commonwealth of Virginia in the process of acquiring the land while operating it as a state park. #theaccidentalpreservationist

I could feel the vibrations of the pile driving at the Chancognie House today. The construction of 148 luxury apartments two blocks away is cause for concern. While the developers have asserted that the project will not adversely impact traffic or flooding, projects are studied almost in isolation. While these 147 luxury apartments alone might not have a significant impact on traffic and flooding here, it does not take into account the recent apartment and condominium projects completed a block away, nor all of the hotel projects going up within a few blocks of here. Slide to see pictures of the former Veggie Bin site and the parking lot that will be part of this new apartment complex. What sort of impact will it all have? Only time will tell. #theaccidentalpreservationist

After demolition was completed, I brought in @dwhitakerphotography to document the area by drone. There was quite a bit of archaeological evidence of former structures on the site underneath the 1988 addition. While I am still processing the information, the overhead views have been very helpful in determining the dimensions of original outbuildings that once stood on the northern property line and understanding later building episodes that took place in between these outbuildings and the main house. There will be more to come as I sort it all out! #theaccidentalpreservationist #chancogniehouse

It was exciting to have Leslie identify several of the transferware patterns here such as this cup and saucer in the Tendril pattern. The maker is unknown, but this pearlware pair dates to the early 19th century. I like to think that perhaps Monsieur or Madame Chancognie enjoyed a spot of tea in this set.... #theaccidentalpreservationist #chancogniehouse

It was a privilege and a pleasure to have ceramics scholar Leslie Bouterie and her husband Larry, photographer, study and document the transferware that we have found archaeologically here at the Chancognie House. Having analyzed the impressive transferware collections at Drayton Hall and the Charleston Museum, suffice to say that it was an honor for them to include the collection here in their research on British transferware in the American South. My only regret is that I did not take a better photo of them, but we were too busy discussing transferware! #theaccidentalpreservationist #chancogniehouse