Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Crowning The Gravelly Hill... Part 8

Part eight of the series...



Residence of Moses B. Sayre, Esq. - 311 Oakdale Road





Designed by W.L. Price of Philadelphia and built between Fall 1891 and May 1896.

Sayre was proprietor of the Sayre Optical Company. He was also one of the original members of the Baltimore Country Club.

The design is domestic gothic in feeling, the octagonal tower breaking through the great expanse of the gable roof, well shaded porch, roof being supported by stone piers, hipped entrance feature and general grouping of windows, are the principal exterior features. The foundation and first story are of rock faced, light gray stone. The exterior framework above is sheathed, papered, shingled, and was originally stained deep red. The roof was also shingled and originally left to weather. the trimming color was originally cream. The shutters at the stone work, were originally the same. The other shutters were originally painted green. The chimneys are of red brick, with recessed face, and corbeled top. Dimensions: Front, 57'6"; side, 36', not including bay or porch projections. Height: Cellar, 7'6"; first story, 9'; second, 8'6"; attic, 7'6".

The floor plans show a most convenient arrangement of rooms. The entrance door, with sash above, and paneled beneath, leads to a vestibule, having seat at one side, and door to reception hall, which is wainscoted, with the ceiling plastered and paneled off, beams being exposed. There is a square column at stairs, with a beam forming a flat arch over the inglenook. The fireplace is faced with light buff brick, with a mantel shelf above, and is paneled to the ceiling. There are seats at each side.

 Reception Hall in 2014 Showing Inglenook and Seats
 View from Reception Hall towards the Library in 2014
 Reception Hall in 2014

The reception room in the tower, is octagonal in form, and is in pine, originally painted cream. There is a low paneled wainscot or dado. The fireplace is faced with cream tiles, and has a Colonial style mantel above.

 Reception Room in 2014

The library, originally in dark oak and now painted white, has a fireplace, faced with large burnt Sienna tiles, a mantel above, and is paneled to the ceiling. There is a seat at one angle, and a closet in the other. There is a seat at the mullioned window. There was a beam over the bookcases (now removed) at the blank wall.

 Library in 2014
 Library in 2014
 Library in 2014

The dining room, also in oak, has a seat in the bay window, a fireplace faced with blue tiles, and a shelf and dresser above in one angle, with a china closet in other.

 Dining Room in 2014 showing the china closet in the corner
 Dining Room in 2014
 Dining Room in 2014

The butler's pantry originally had a generous dresser room, sink and shelves, but was removed to expand the kitchen. The kitchen contained the usual fixtures.

Kitchen in 2014. The area beyond the ceiling beam was the former butler's pantry.
Kitchen in 2014. The area beyond the ceiling beam was the former butler's pantry.
Kitchen in 2014
Kitchen in 2014. The area beyond the ceiling beam was the former butler's pantry.
Kitchen in 2014

The second floor is divided into four chambers, all with large closets, a sewing and two bath rooms, with best fixtures and exposed plumbing.

 Stairway from Second Floor in 2014
 Chamber above Dining Room in 2014
Chamber above Dining Room in 2014
Bathroom above former Butler's Pantry in 2014
Chamber above Kitchen in 2014
Chamber above Reception Room in 2014
Bathroom above Inglenook in 2014
 Chamber above Library in 2014

A servant's apartment and storage space are in attic.

 Attic in 2014
 Attic in 2014

The cellar is cemented, and contains the laundry, heating apparatus, fuel storage, and other apartments.

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1 comment:

  1. What is the source of the floor plans? If an archive, could you tell me which one?

    ReplyDelete