On Sunday afternoon, Bettie and I tried to go see some Barbershop Quartets. We missed them. And we’re happy.
Cincinnati’s Fine Arts Fund sponsors a big weekend to get people to enjoy the arts and contribute from their paychecks. Over the years, Bettie and I have gone to see an Ansel Adams print collection (with chamber music) and participated in klezmer music (we actually can dance a bit!). This year, there was a Barbershop Quartet exhibition near the church. There was also a meal after church. We went to the meal and missed the quartets.
That’s where it gets good.
We got to see the house where the quartets sang. It’s a garden center thingie now. Here it is:
sorry – wrong pic. That was the driver’s house. Here you go:
Ooops – wrong again! That is the garage. What could I have been thinking of? Here’s the real house:
These folks knew how to live. The big room on the left is the salon. It has an organ in it. A player organ, just like player pianos.
The house was built in 1925. It has radiator heat – but with wooden barriers so the kids don’t accidentally get burned.
Yes, they had kids. This is one of their rooms. The wide-screen TV is new, but the iron barriers over the windows were original.
Decorative, but functional. The Lindbergh kidnapping happened only seven years after the house was built – these were probably added then.
The whole place was magnificent. Custom woodwork in the floors:
The attic had a cement floor. The attic!
The kitchen has a place to keep the silver safe:
(yes, that’s a combination safe she’s opening.) Our guide showed us a pantry that was really a door.
Here’s what was behind the door:
Another door – to a safe! Here’s what was inside the safe:
Yes, this house was built during the prohibition. I haven’t shown the hand-carved plaster ceilings, the stone staircases, the indoor pool. After a while I was more or less stunned.
We went outside to see the courtyard and fountains. The gutters, that we consider an afterthought, looked custom-made.
The roof is slate.
Thick slate.
And I want to claim it as mine. That little house for the driver?
Check out the little wishing well in front of it.
Proof positive: it’s all mine!
5 comments
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February 24, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Mom
When are we moving in? We can be right there!! Oh, btw, does it come with a housekeeping staff? Great post!!!!
February 24, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Dan
I think that means that the driver’s house is yours. Better check that garage to see what you’ll be driving!
February 24, 2010 at 9:51 pm
One level up
When will you be receiving guests? I’m speaking of solid friends now, not hangers-on nor fair-weather friends nor any other such trash . . .
Just let us know – I think you have our number . . .
February 25, 2010 at 6:38 pm
le Duc
Great tour – thanks for sharing!
February 27, 2010 at 1:40 am
Bettie
In case they went unnoticed, the window security for the children included nursery rhymes. Neat touch to soften the bars.