Historical Reminiscing with Robert B. Hitchings
Grand Staircases of Long Ago
Growing up in Norfolk, Virginia, one sees many old sections and old neighborhoods where time seems to have stood still. Many of these old homes are over 100 years old and what stories they all can tell us of the early inhabitants of long ago.
Norfolk has preserved many old sections and homes, respecting their historical character of bygone days and in doing so has created their beautiful rich past. These old neighborhoods still reflect their old charm and the era they were built and many of these sections in Norfolk have been designated as historical places.
We have many architectural styles of old homes in the old neighborhoods of Freemason Street, Edgewater, Larchmont, Lockhaven, and Meadow Brook, just to name a few. I love to walk in different neighborhoods and see the different styles of homes: Georgian, Colonial, French style with their mansard roofs, Tudor, etc. But one thing that always impresses me are the grand staircases. Believe me, I have seen many beautiful, grand staircases in our area. And I am always impressed to see so many different types of art objects, such as marble statues, old Chippendale chairs or even large oriental vases next to these elaborate structures. I remember an old home on Matoaka Avenue in West Ghent, the owner was a dear friend of mine, had a large Indian Totem pole at her grand stair case. And that totem pole was LARGE, unique and had a rather large red carved nose. Believe me, it was interesting!
Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson disliked staircases and preferred to save space by using narrow steep stairways in his homes. Many were hidden by a wall or a door giving the rooms a lot of space.
In our culture one can see photographs of staircases of long ago with children hiding behind the old balusters or spindles listening to conversations of their parents or waiting with excitement to get a glimces of old Santa Claus. And how many of us as children slid down these beautiful railings landing with a thump on the floor. As kids one would say, “Sliding down the rails.” And in how many old black and white movies did we see such merriment of kids sliding down the rails, especially in the Al Roach comedies. And today how many families decorate the banister rails at Christmas time with fresh garlands, greens and maybe a few poinsettias.
These staircases take up so much space and yet are in a prominent position in an old home. But it’s the spindles or baluster that are more noticeable. And it’s the old local mills that cut these spindles into a unique shapes and sizes for these grand staircases.
Nowadays, homes are getting much bigger than several years ago. Now, you see the staircases making an appearance, taking on prominence as one enters the foyer of a home, just like the 1890s. History has a way of repeating itself. The interest in staircases has been growing as the homes of today are getting bigger with a much large upstairs.
Last year I was invited to visit two friends who live in the Ghent area. One friend lived on Pembroke Avenue and another friend on Fairfax Avenue, two old streets in the East Ghent area. The first thing I noticed as I entered the foyer was the beautiful staircases. Both these homes were built around 1898 and it was customary to reflect ones wealth and prestige with a grand staircase. However, this all changed in the 1930s to 1950s when the bungalows were creeping into our society, especially cape cod houses, with bay windows and simple staircases to the second floor.
Many years ago I gave my wife a magazine subscription to Colonial Homes. She loved it, but in her mind she too wanted a home with a staircase with a nice cherry railing. March 1989 we bought a home in Talbot Park that was built in 1940 with a beautiful staircase. I told our friend Betsy Grandy Elling, our real-estate friend, that I was going to set my wife’s bed next to this old staircase for she always wanted a nice stairwell. She got her dream, we bought the house.
As I have gotten older, I have grown more fond of these old grand staircases. I am a fan of old historical homes and the beauty of these graceful staircases that draw the eye and capture the heart. I don't know for sure when my passion for staircases began, but perhaps as my circle of friends increased who live in old neighborhoods, that I began to pay attention. Or, maybe it was my wife’s doing when we bought our old house and she got her wish for a beautiful staircase in our foyer.
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Robert B. Hitchings is a seventh generation Norfolk resident, graduating with an Associate's Degree in Biology from Old Dominion University and BA in history from Virginia Wesleyan University. During his studies he was awarded a scholarship at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, and he was an exchange student at Brooks-Westminster College, Oxford, England. From 1999-2014 he worked as head of the Sargeant Memorial History Room at Norfolk Public Library, and since then has headed the Wallace History Room at Chesapeake Public Library. He is also the President of the Norfolk County Historical Society, and for six years was a columnist for The Virginian-Pilot. Robert may be reached at nchs.wallaceroom@gmail.com
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