William, Ellie, Holly, Hinke, Sam
INTRODUCTION
418 E. Jefferson St has a rich and storied history – far from the Renaissance School we know today. At 195 years old, the building has been a confectioners, a liquor store, law offices, and much more. However, we should also look to the future of our space and our school. What will the next 200 years have in store for 418 E. Jefferson St?
ARCHITECTURE
This building was constructed in 1826 by John Kelly, and took the name “Kelly-Bragg Storehouse” (Alexander, 1942, pg. 35). It was originally built in the Colonial style, which spanned the time period from the early 1600s to the 1830s (Burch, 2018). After extensive renovations, Renaissance School more closely resembles the Colonial Revival style, which ranged from the 1880s to the 1950s (Colonial Revival Style, 2021). This style is characterized by it’s broken pediment arch, oversized central window, and asymmetrical addition (What Is Colonial Revival Style?, 2015). The detailed crowning along the roof is lined by modillions, which are ornamental elements created with brick (McAlester, 2015).
The facade of the building is done in the Flemish style of brickwork, which is categorized by a repeating pattern of long and short bricks. The sides are done in an extended English style, categorized by multiple rows of long bricks broken up by a row of shorter bricks (McAlester, 2015). The entrance of the building is framed by a broken segmental pediment arch, which rests on two ionic columns. All of the windows are double hung six-over-six paned, except for the center window on the front, which is framed by an extra column of single panes on either side (Glossary of Architectural Terms, n.d).
HISTORY
The Kelly-Bragg storehouse was originally built to store dry goods, and was owned by a man named John Kelly (though the store was first rented by Colonel J. R. Watson). It remained in the possession of the Kelly family for over fifty years (Alexander, 1942, pg. 35). Later on, in 1881, the building was passed to W.R. Burnley. From the construction of the building to 1921, the Kelly-Bragg storehouse served many functions, including a dry goods store, a confectioners, a grocery, and a liquor store. Finally, in 1921, the building was bought by the Court Square Building Incorporation to be converted into office spaces (Virginia Landmark Commission, n.d). In 1931, the McCue building was built behind the current building. In a later addition, this building was connected to the current Renaissance building.
Court Square was a central point in the early days of Charlottesville. It contained the court house, the county jail, a slave auction block, and multitudes of storefronts, including the Kelly-Bragg storehouse. On the first Monday of every month, Court Square held market days where members of the community would bring fresh produce, livestock, and dry goods to trade. During this time, human slaves were sold on the corner of E. Jefferson and Park St (Douglas, 2021).
Before the current Court Square Park was built, a neighborhood named McKee row stood there. This neighborhood was a largely black interracial community, but it was seized from the residents in 1914 due to ‘rowdy behaviors’ that were interfering with the experience of Levy Opera showgoers. A statue of General Thomas Jonathan Jackson was commissioned by Paul Goodloe McIntire in 1921 to be on display in the park, which was formerly known as Jackson Park. This park was for whites only, which furthered racial divides in this area.
One fascinating story we came across was an anecdote and curse from a passing preacher named Dr. Conrad Speece. He attempted to preach at night on the stairs of the courthouse and faced ridicule and badgery from young men in the area. After this (apparently upsetting) encounter, he said, “When Satan promised all the kingdoms of the world to Christ, he laid his thumb on Charlottesville, and whispered, ‘except this place, which I reserve for my own especial use.’” (Rawlings, 2015).
REFERENCES
Abramowitz, Sophie, et al. How Charlottesville’s Confederate Statues HELPED Decimate the CITY’S Historically Successful Black Communities. 23 June 2017 slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/06/how-charlottesvilles-confederate-statues-helped-decimate-the-citys-historically-successful-black-communities.html.
Alexander, James. Early Charlottesville; Recollections of Early Charlottesville. e-book, UVA Library, Hathi Trust, 1942. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x000239102&view=1up&seq=60
Burch, Maggie. “What You Should Know About American Colonial-Style Houses.” House Beautiful, 19 Oct. 2018, www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a23647602/american-colonial-style-houses-facts.
“Colonial Revival Style (1880-1955).” Wentworth, Wentworth Studio, www.wentworthstudio.com/historic-styles/colonial-revival.
Douglas, Andrea. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. March 9, 2021.
“Gimli Heritage.” Glossary of Architectural Terms, gimliheritage.ca/pdfs/Glossary%20of%20Architectural%20Terms.pdf.
Johnson, Floyd. Albemarle County Historical Society. 1828. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/49980/49980-h/49980-h.htm#c7.
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America’s Domestic Architecture (KNOPF). Expanded, Revised, Knopf, 2015.
Norris Collection. Monticello Hotel – 1950s. Vintage Charlottesville. Steve Trumbell
Rawlings, M. “Historical Guide to Old Charlottesville.” Project Gutenberg, Gutenberg, 15 Sept. 2015, www.gutenberg.org/files/49980/49980-h/49980-h.htm#c7.
Schmidt, Jalane, and Andrea Douglas. “Marked by These Monuments.” Marked by these Monuments – 2020. 10 Mar. 2021, Charlottesville, Courtsquare. https://www.thesemonuments.org
Virginia Landmark Commission – Department of Community Development. (1942). Landmark Survey. “What Is Colonial Revival Style?- Traditional Home – Classical Architecture.” Antique Home Style, Antique Home Style, http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/colonial-revival.htm. Accessed 10 Mar. 2021.