HW Mon June 20

In unit II I focused on The Conrad-Caldwell House. In unit I, I focused on St. James Court. I chose to focus on the Conrad-Caldwell House because of it interesting history and popularity it has in the community. After visiting my place again the problems i saw where just how old the house actually is, the cost for regular restoration. This will definitely be a question I ask in my interviews. Unit III I’m still going to be focusing on the Conrad-Caldwell House. I've decided that I will take a tour of the mansion and call ahead to make an interview with the guide. I plan on also going to the old Louisville office building and speaking with a member of the historic society council. Last I also plan on getting a hold of a member of the St. James ct. historic committee as well hopefully I can gain more oral history from these sources.

Unit II. Basic Research of Place: The Conrad-Caldwell House

Unit II. Basic Research of Place: The Conrad-Caldwell House

In the first unit my essence of place was St. James Court, this is the place that truly lets me relax and gather my thoughts. I discussed many of the historic mansions around the court giving a brief visual and historical summary. One house mentioned that seems to acquire the most attention is The Conrad-Caldwell House. The hosting house to many social events in Old Louisville. There is the annual Spirit Ball, the annual garden tour, weddings, lectures, and a museum on the very site. Needless to say this house gets a lot of action, but its massive castle like structure is only one appeal, the history that surrounds the house is the true story that attract people from all over the to view its beauty.

St. James Court back in 1883 was part of the site of the Southern Exposition, an event which attracted millions around the world to come and see the modern technology and agriculture displayed. Louisville is said to have hosted the largest display of incandescing light bulbs at one time, one of Thomas Edison’s greatest achievements. The Conrad-Caldwell House was built for Theophilus Conrad around the late 1880s early 1890s after the exposition closed in 1887. Conrad was a Frenchman who made his fortune in the tanning business and only spent 35,000 dollars on the construction of the house. Late after his death the Caldwell family bought Mr. Conrad’s castle and resided there for 35 years. Following the passing of the Caldwell’s the house was then the Rose Anna Hughes Presbyterian Retirement Home for the next 40 years. In 1987, The St. James Historic Foundation purchased the home and restored it. The house is now a museum, and also hosts many events and is the center of attention in the court.

The Annual Spirit Ball will be having its 6th annual event at the Conrad-Caldwell House this year. The spirit ball is held the eve of Halloween celebrating the spirit of the holiday as well as local spirits. Guests dress in costume and experience a grand time; gourmet food, expert bartender, dancing, live music, and silent auction. "There couldn’t be a more appropriate location to recall the spirits of yesteryear at a time such as Halloween." Tim Valentino stated in the article "Old Louisville Spirit Ball." in Louisville Nfocus Magazine.  During the story telling portion of the event locals tell the tales of the local spirits around Old Louisville such as Widow Hoag. The spirit of Widow Hoag resides in the shadows around the fountain in the court waiting for her lost son to come home. The ghost, Avery, of the "Pink Palace" is the son of the first family that owned the house and has appeared every time right before a resident has faced an unknown danger to give them warning for their benefit. Finally, there is the story of the lost spirit of a red haired young girl in white who haunts the neighborhood at night. All proceeds from the ball go to the historic foundation for restoration and preservation of the homes including the Conrad-Caldwell House.

The Conrad-Caldwell House is a Richardsonian Romanesque structure known for its massive exterior, brick and stone work, large arched openings, stained glass windows, and oversized carvings of figures and patterns. This gives the house its castle appearance and overall appeal to the public. Old Louisville is one of the largest areas of Victorian architecture in the nation. Grand walking tours are held every day except Sundays. More explanation of the vast history of the neighborhood the tour starts with The Conrad-Caldwell House which the guide explains and history says was the beginning of the neighborhood expansion.

Weddings are also held regularly at The Conrad-Caldwell House, reservations for such events need to be booked almost to a year in advance do to the mansions popularity. The house can accommodate 50-150 guests and offers flexibility to personal caterers and decorations, bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners and complete personalized services, giving the ultimate experience for a fairy tale wedding. They also provide local references to artists around the area offering additional services such a photography, caterers, and event planners.  

The annual garden tour starts off the preview gala and the kick off to the tour at The Conrad-Caldwell House. The Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour is now in its 18th year and gives guests the tour of the private greens of the residents of the historic area which is quite an experience for garden lovers. Great time and effort goes into these gardens and into this tour to make things entertaining. There is also an artist walk where artists come to create and display pieces for purchase. This year there will also be an ice cream social serving as an intermission during the tour. In the article "The 18th Annual Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour." of the Old Louisville Journal June is referred to as “bustin’ out all over” due to the substantial amount of rain Louisville has gotten, the sponsors of the event state that rain or shine the tour will still take place.

Finally it is clear that there is plenty going on in Old Louisville, it is also clear that most events begin with the Conrad-Caldwell House making this house a diamond to the community. In unit 1 I stated that these houses had history pouring out of the windows The Conrad-Caldwell House especially. From the land it was built on going back over a century where there were technology altering discoveries made at the Southern Exposition, to starting explosion of the Victorian architecture era in the the community during the 1890s making its district nationally know. To the descendants that passed down the mansion Theophilus Conrad, the Caldwell family, the people living there while it was a retirement home. Some spirits never left still here with us lurking around waiting for something or someone. Lastly the house is left to a historic site and museum to be enjoyed by all during any type of festivity. Letting everyone experience the history the artwork and the overall emotion etched in this house as well as the neighborhood any time of day or night. It could be a day tour, attending a late night spirit ball, or simply just taking a walk around. This place is just enchanting and such a pleasure to be able to enjoy. 

The 18th Annual Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour

The 18th Annual Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour

Plunkett, Linda. "The 18th Annual Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour." Old Louisville Journal 33.6 (2011): 8. Web. 19 Jun 2011. http://www.oldlouisville.org/OLJ/June2011Journal.pdf.

It is almost time for the Annual Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour which will take place this year July 9th and 10th. This article is just a basic summary of the events agenda; refreshments, silent auction, and plant sale will start the beginning of the tour at The Conrad-Caldwell House. DuPont Mansion will host Art in the Garden where local artists come to create and show their work. Kling Center will also be having an ice cream social in the middle of the tour serving almost as an intermission to the tour. There will be a Garden Tour Preview Gala benefit also hosted at the Conrad-Caldwell House on the 8th as the kick off before the tour. More background information about the garden tour is available its website http://www.oldlouisvillegardentour.com/ 

Linda Plunkett is the editor of The Old Louisville Journal; all article contributions are sent to Ms. Plunkett and are subject to approval. The actual know writer of this entry is unknown. Presumably I would say the Second Street Neighborhood Association released this information.

In the article June is referred to as “bustin’ out all over” due to the substantial amount of rain Louisville has gotten, the sponsors of the event state that rain or shine the tour will still take place. This event means a lot to many people and a great deal of planning goes into making everything come together. Most of these historic houses have advanced booking up to a year, even longer. Rescheduling in most cases isn't possible so because of this there are no rain dates and refunds are not available.

Articles such as this one really shows the social action that happens around the Old Louisville area, more importantly for "my place" this article shows that the Conrad-Caldwell House is a center point to the event. I would like to dig a little deeper into the garden tour and ask a few questions about the overall planning that goes into this event. I would also like to learn more specifically about the Conrad-Caldwell House gardens. I believe a great way to gain this information is to just take the tour, or if there is time restraints get in contact with the neighborhood association.

Old Louisville Spirit Ball

Old Louisville Spirit Ball

Valentino, Tim. "Old Louisville Spirit Ball." Louisville Nfocus Magazine (2010): 1. Web. 19 Jun 2011. http://nfocuslouisville.com/story/old-louisville-spirit-ball.

The Spirit Ball as described in this article by Tim Valentino (the primary photographer for NFocus Magazine's Louisville edition and honored guest at the event,) is a masquerade party celebrated Halloween eve. Hosted at the Conrad-Caldwell House now for the 5th year, the function is open to anyone who wishes to purchase a ticket. The festivities include a silent auction, gourmet food, expert bartender, local artist and sisters Kelly Toon and Molly Peters who paint faces for the event and a live band. All proceeds go to the St. James Court Historic Foundation for restoration and preservation.

"There couldn’t be a more appropriate location to recall the spirits of yesteryear at a time such as Halloween." Valentino is describing the house as he enters. The Richardsonian Romanesque structure was built in the 1890s and features include massive structural appearance, built from stone giving the house a castle feel, arched openings, large stained glass windows, and oversized carvings of gargoyles making the perfect setting for this event.

This article is a great review of the Spirit Ball held at the Conrad-Caldwell House it describes one of the main social events held by the St. James Historic Foundation and also captures the beauty of the location which it was held. With the funds going to the Historic Foundation where are the funds actually distributed; which houses? How much actually goes towards the Conrad-Caldwell House? The article mentions that the Historic Foundation runs a museum inside the house. I think this would be a great place to get some answers to my questions and get a chance to speak with members of the foundation.

How I plan to add the information I have gained from my sources to my narative is by describing The Conrad-Caldwell Mansion for the piece of history it is. The stories that I have heard from my sources truly touched me. The weddings, the balls, the family history and the emotion will truly show in my next post.

Black Men in Public Spaces

Staples included the quotation from Normans Podhortezs essay "My Negro Problem-- and Ours" into his piece "Black Men in Public Spaces," he integrated the quotation into his own text as he compares Podhortezs writing about the uneasy feeling felt towards black men givin a certain situation such as walking alone at night. He introduced it telling his story about moving to New York and remaining a avid night walker and what he has obsevered from other around him. He ties the quotation to his own narrative when he states that he witnesses the same reactions from people on the street, the hunch posture he says. Personally I don't feel comfortable enough with quoting to make suggestions, to me the writing was clear and easy to understand I thought his quoting the way it was was fine.

The Conrad-Caldwell Mansion

ghost village

I have desided to pick the Conrad-Caldwell Mansion to do additional research on. The Mansion holds a ton of annual events that have been around for a long time and the house it self has been around since the mid 1800's.