We're thrilled to have the authors of Great Houses of Summit Avenue and the Hill District kick off our Lecture Series on January 9!
More information coming soon!
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When was the last time you drove down Summit Avenue and wondered what those beautiful historic mansions look like inside?
Architectural photographer Karen Melvin wondered the same thing as she walked the street at dusk and marveled at the beautiful things she saw inside the houses built more than 100 years ago by railroad magnates, lumber barons, captains of industry and the merchant class.
Images of the interiors and exteriors of these homes and mansions, built from civil war time to the early 1900's, are now on display and in full color in the new book, Great Houses of Summit Avenue and the Hill District (Big Picture Press, Oct. 2013, $54.95). Released just in time for the 2013 holiday season, the book includes Summit Avenue and the Hill District's most important houses - six of which are in areas like Crocus Hill, Ramsey Hill and the Summit Hill neighborhoods.
Until now most of us could only experience these houses from the street, but thanks to Melvins' new coffee table book, the doors to 24 of these remarkable architectural gems are open for all to see, featuring the amazing architecture and detail of a bygone era.
“I wanted to take people inside to see the beautiful design choices that were made by original architects," said Melvin, who conceptualized the book a few years ago while walking down Summit Avenue photographing the Classical design details on the facades of the houses. There are more than 400 images in the book, which not only serves as a catalog of St. Paul’s most stately homes, but a history of one of the most famous Victorian boulevards in America.
"You will see a range of house style and size, but my main criteria was to feature houses that have been restored to their original grandeur, especially the interiors,” said Melvin.
Fascinating stories penned by four award-winning writers accompany the hundreds of colorful photographs Melvin took after being invited into the homes. The authors are architectural historian Paul Larson, who has written many books of history featuring St. Paul and architect Clarence Johnston; Bette Hammel, an architectural journalist and widow of the founder of HGA Architects, Dick Hammel; Melinda Nelson, who writes about beautiful living and lifestyle from the homeowners viewpoint; and Dave Kenney, who writes not only about a house's history, but also the present day owners and renovation.
More information coming soon!
------
When was the last time you drove down Summit Avenue and wondered what those beautiful historic mansions look like inside?
Architectural photographer Karen Melvin wondered the same thing as she walked the street at dusk and marveled at the beautiful things she saw inside the houses built more than 100 years ago by railroad magnates, lumber barons, captains of industry and the merchant class.
Images of the interiors and exteriors of these homes and mansions, built from civil war time to the early 1900's, are now on display and in full color in the new book, Great Houses of Summit Avenue and the Hill District (Big Picture Press, Oct. 2013, $54.95). Released just in time for the 2013 holiday season, the book includes Summit Avenue and the Hill District's most important houses - six of which are in areas like Crocus Hill, Ramsey Hill and the Summit Hill neighborhoods.
Until now most of us could only experience these houses from the street, but thanks to Melvins' new coffee table book, the doors to 24 of these remarkable architectural gems are open for all to see, featuring the amazing architecture and detail of a bygone era.
“I wanted to take people inside to see the beautiful design choices that were made by original architects," said Melvin, who conceptualized the book a few years ago while walking down Summit Avenue photographing the Classical design details on the facades of the houses. There are more than 400 images in the book, which not only serves as a catalog of St. Paul’s most stately homes, but a history of one of the most famous Victorian boulevards in America.
"You will see a range of house style and size, but my main criteria was to feature houses that have been restored to their original grandeur, especially the interiors,” said Melvin.
Fascinating stories penned by four award-winning writers accompany the hundreds of colorful photographs Melvin took after being invited into the homes. The authors are architectural historian Paul Larson, who has written many books of history featuring St. Paul and architect Clarence Johnston; Bette Hammel, an architectural journalist and widow of the founder of HGA Architects, Dick Hammel; Melinda Nelson, who writes about beautiful living and lifestyle from the homeowners viewpoint; and Dave Kenney, who writes not only about a house's history, but also the present day owners and renovation.
Melvin recruited the authors to work on the project after making the decision to self-
publish the book. Melvin’s first two books with author Bette Hammel, the highly
popular Legendary Homes of Lake Minnetonka, which came out in 2009, and
Legendary Homes of the Minneapolis Lakes, released in 2012 (MHS Press), are both
regional bestsellers.
Melvin is proud to have had the foreword for her latest title written by one of St. Paul’s most famous residents: longtime Summit Avenue resident Garrison Keillor, host of the American Public Media radio variety show, A Prairie Home Companion. In the foreword he wrote, “What remains and is so clear in Karen Melvin’s lovely pictures is the fine workmanship of the buildings, the stonework and brickwork and wood carving and cabinetry and carpentry of thousands of anonymous men... who rode the streetcars or climbed up the hill from the flats... to work on the construction crews six days a week, ten hours a day.”
"It has been a wonderful journey meeting the homeowners and getting to know St. Paul in a more intimate way. All the homeowners were very welcoming and wanted to share their story with readers. But then again, that’s St. Paul - friendly, close knit and proud of their traditions in architecture. It's really like our little Europe," said Melvin.
Copies of Great Houses of Summit Avenue and the Hill District are available for purchase at Common Good Books, Barnes and Noble and other fine bookstores and gift shops throughout Minnesota. The book is also available online. Autographed copies are available by ordering direct from the publisher at www.summitavenuebook.com.
Melvin is proud to have had the foreword for her latest title written by one of St. Paul’s most famous residents: longtime Summit Avenue resident Garrison Keillor, host of the American Public Media radio variety show, A Prairie Home Companion. In the foreword he wrote, “What remains and is so clear in Karen Melvin’s lovely pictures is the fine workmanship of the buildings, the stonework and brickwork and wood carving and cabinetry and carpentry of thousands of anonymous men... who rode the streetcars or climbed up the hill from the flats... to work on the construction crews six days a week, ten hours a day.”
"It has been a wonderful journey meeting the homeowners and getting to know St. Paul in a more intimate way. All the homeowners were very welcoming and wanted to share their story with readers. But then again, that’s St. Paul - friendly, close knit and proud of their traditions in architecture. It's really like our little Europe," said Melvin.
Copies of Great Houses of Summit Avenue and the Hill District are available for purchase at Common Good Books, Barnes and Noble and other fine bookstores and gift shops throughout Minnesota. The book is also available online. Autographed copies are available by ordering direct from the publisher at www.summitavenuebook.com.
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