Jane's Walk: Site 16
Inspired by the oriel on 2 East Court Street, we'll retrace our steps and take a look at oriels on buildings along Warren Street. An article that appeared recently in the New York Times, "Useful Vocabulary for Building Watchers," explains the difference between an oriel and a bay, both of which are structural projections from a facade: "Here's the trick: does it rest on its bottom? Then that's B, for bay. Or, does it stick out from a higher floor on the facade with nothing under it? That's O for oriel, with zero underneath."
Oriels, which were originally features of Gothic architecture, seem to have had their heyday in Hudson in the last quarter of the 19th century. They were elements of the original design in many Victorian houses, especially those built in Queen Anne style, but they were also added to many existing Hudson buildings. We now think of them as elements that "Victorianize" buildings.
Starting from the base of Warren Street, the first example is found at 10 South Front Street. In this case, there is evidence that the building is a very early Hudson building, so the oriel is a Victorian addition.
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| 10 South Front |
In the 100 block of Warren Street, there are two houses with oriels: 128 and 132. Both houses were built in the 1890s, so it's safe to assume that in each case the oriel was part of the house's original design.
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| 128 Warren Street |
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| 132 Warren Street |
In the 200 block of Warren Street, there are three buildings with oriels: 209, 221, and 239, which has two. Take a look at the pictures. Then go out and take a look at the actual buildings. Decide for yourself if each is part of the original building or an element added when the building was Victorianized.
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| 209 Warren Street |
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| 221 Warren Street |
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| 239 Warren Street |
Thanks Carole ,
ReplyDeleteYour "Jane's Walks" continue to fascinate. Someone else posted this idea and I would like to expand on it,that your "Jane's Walk" of Hudson be made available in a form to visitors and residents alike,to walk around with.There is a brief handout,but a printed collection of your articles & color photos & map would make a wonderful guide.It could be sold at Amtrak and Book & other stores around town.My guests are always taking Byrne Fones book with them,because that's the only real guide.
We will have to get you a publishing deal where you get paid,seeing as you are voluntarily running your newspaper single handedly and you have so little time.
This I say quite presumptuously,as maybe you wouldn't want to.
But you are the "woman"for the job!