Cottage Souvenirs

Author: Christopher DiMattei

  • Willis F. Cobb Residence

    Willis F. Cobb Residence

    Lyle, Minnesota

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    Barber published the Dr. Willis F. Cobb residence in the August number of the 1898 edition of his American Homes magazine.  And because Lyle Minnesota is so small and online resources are so scarce, I cannot determine what happened to this home, or where exactly, it was located.  I suspect that it was lost fairly early in its history because there is precious little, online, about this home or the Cobb family.  Anyway, as far as I am concerned, this home is MIA, until I can track it down somehow.  While I would love to uncover some additional old or historic photos of it, I would especially like to uncover where exactly, it was located when it existed.  Any help along these lines would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

  • William Gass Residence

    William Gass Residence

    67 Sugarloaf Street South Deerfield, MA

    William Gass Residence – A rare 1.5 story version of design 554 from “Art in Architecture”
    Architect’s illustration, as published in the 1904 edition of “Art in Architecture”
    William Gass Residence – Front or street elevation
    William Gass Residence – NW corner with roof dormers
    William Gass Residence – Stair Hall with framed opening into the Parlor
    William Gass Residence – Staircase with door at landing shielding stairs back to the Kitchen
    William Gass Residence – Framed opening between Parlor and Dining room
    William Gass Residence – Hall at the top of the main staircase
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    The Gass residence is a very rare, one and one half story version of Barber’s design 554, published in the “Art in Architecture” series of pattern books. This example retains a lot of original character elements although it could use some sympathetic restoration and preservation to keep it looking good.
    Mr Gass was a carpenter/builder, so it is likely that he built this home for himself. It is unclear if he procured plans from Barber, or if he simply built this home using the pattern book as his guide.

  • Unknown Reading Residence

    Unknown Reading Residence

    389 Lowell Street Reading, MA

    CRD Publications

    389 Lowell Street Reading Massachusetts
    Unknown example of Barber’s design 39 from the second edition of “Modern Dwellings”
    Architect’s illustration as published in “Modern Dwellings”
    Front elevation view – Unknown example of design 39 from the second edition of “Modern Dwellings”
    Unknown example of Barber’s design 39 from the second edition of “Modern Dwellings”
    NW side elevation showing diamond bay window in Dining room
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    This lone Reading Massachusetts example is a slightly customized version of George Barber’s design 39, from the second edition of the “Modern Dwellings” series of pattern books. This home has a wonderful Entry Hall that presents a beautiful fireplace to you as you walk through the front door. This relatively small Victorian home is packed with character. The dormer configuration over the front porch is picturesque, to say the least. With the amber glow of its incandescent lights, at dusk, under a blanket of snow, Norman Rockwell should’ve been so lucky!

  • Jerome S. Ames Residence

    Jerome S. Ames Residence

    69 Prospect Street Gardner, MA

    CRD Publications

    Jerome S. Ames Residence – Another example of Barber’s most popular design.
    Architect’s illustration of design 36 from “The Cottage Souvenir No. 2”.
    Front elevation of the Jerome S. Ames residence.
    Jerome S. Ames Residence – Another example of Barber’s most popular design.
    Historic photo of the Jerome S. Ames residence.
    Entry Hall of the Jerome S. Ames residence.
    This “keyhole” stained glass window at the stair landing is over 6 feet tall!
    Original Dining room radiator with warmer.
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    The Ames residence is one of the many surviving examples of Barber’s design no. 36 from the “Cottage Souvenir No. 2” pattern book, although this example is without the iconic “T” shaped support for the balcony roof. Historic photos exist for this gem, illustrating that this home was built very similarly to the published illustration. Perhaps someday, this home will get the restoration is deserves? This example features a rather large “Keyhole” shaped stain glass window at the stair landing. At about 6 feet tall, this window is a sight to behold when the sun pours into it.

  • Unknown Brockton Residence

    Unknown Brockton Residence

    134 Spring Street Brockton, MA

    CRD Publications

    Unknown example of design 11B from Barber’s revised edition of “New Model Dwellings”
    Architest’s illustration as published in the “Modern Dwellings” series of publications.
    Unknown example of design 11B from Barber’s revised edition of “New Model Dwellings”
    Unknown example of design 11B from Barber’s revised edition of “New Model Dwellings”
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    This Brockton Massachusetts home appears to be oddly out of place in it’s current setting. Barber originally created this design for construction on a narrow lot, which this house sits on. But this home sits back from the street, unlike it immediate neighbors. It is too bad because the exterior of this home still retains some character elements, so a different setting would do wonders for it’s curb appeal. Still, this unique home is an excellent example of this particular design, one of just 14 recorded to date.

  • James A. Kelly Residence

    James A. Kelly Residence

    406 W. Main Street Lebanon, KY

    CRD Publications

    James A. Kelly Residence – Photo courtesy of Kenny Browning
    Architect’s illustration, as published in “The Cottage Souvenir No. 2”
    James A. Kelly Residence – Photo courtesy of Bruce Wicks
    James A. Kelly Residence – Photo courtesy of Kenny Browning
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    The Kelly residence is a classic example of Barber’s design no. 44 from the “Cottage Souvenir No. 2” pattern book, although this example is without the signature tower. Perhaps this example never had the tower originally, only some historic photos would reveal that. This design is often used by Barber scholars as a classic example of how Barber envisioned upgrading a middle-class home to be visually stunning, and projecting an importance within the community. This example still displays the original “Philadelphia” style built-in gutters. Beautiful, but I would love to see her with a color appropriate paint job.

  • Unknown Cynthiana Residence

    Unknown Cynthiana Residence

    108 S. Church Street Cynthiana, KY

    CRD Publications

    Unknown example of Barber’s “Cozy Cot” labeled design
    Architect’s illustration, as published in “Modern Dwellings”
    Unknown example of Barber’s “Cozy Cot” labeled design
    Unknown example of Barber’s “Cozy Cot” labeled design
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    This example looks like a larger, more grandiose version of the published design. I would love to get inside this gem and see how closely the floor plan matches the published layout. I am also still trying to track down the names of the original owners, and the year of construction for this one. Anyone with any historical data regarding this home, please comment below. Thanks.

  • Unknown Georgetown Residence

    Unknown Georgetown Residence

    623 S. Broadway Street Cynthiana, KY

    CRD Publications

    Unknown example of Barber’s “Perspective View” labeled design
    Architect’s illustration, as published in “Modern Dwellings”
    Unknown example of Barber’s “Perspective View” labeled design
    Unknown example of Barber’s “Perspective View” labeled design
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    Barber published this design under the moniker “Perspective View”, thus promoting the front balcony as a place to take in grand views. With this house I am also still trying to track down the names of the original owners, and the year of construction, so anyone with any historical data regarding this home, please comment below. Thanks.

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