Day 30 & 31 - Lesson in Architecture - or the Town that Moves

Current Position: 35° 32' 24" N  77° 3' 18" W

What a beautiful town!  We walked around yesterday and got a feel for the waterfront area.  We are on the free dock of the city marina, but it is much nicer than the free dock in Bath.  The dock assistant met us and helped us tie up then gave us the key to restrooms (can you say SHOWER?) and told us all about the area shops and restaurants (ice cream!).  The walk to the restrooms is quite a hike but they are brand new and very nice.  They also have a new laundry facility you can use all day for $5.  Nice.  

There are benches and bench swings all along the walk that are all very popular.  A children's' playground in right across the path from us and the children's laughter is wonderful.

People stop and look at our boat often and several have commented on my little garden.  I've just planted my second round of lettuce.  The herbs are very healthy and delicious!

Today we went to the visitor's center (closed yesterday) and picked up their walking tour of the historic district.  Washington began it's life in the 1770's as Forks of the Tar but was renamed in honor of Gen. George Washington in 1776 (before he was president!)  It was the first town to be named in honor of him.  How many Washingtons are there?

One of the things I've loved about both Bath and Washington are the carillons. They have played Easter hymns periodically all three days.  Here are some of the churches in Washington:

First United Methodist - Built 1899, Brick with cross gable slate roof, corner tower, and various high quality ornamental detail.  So sad the bell tower is empty.

St Peter's Episcopal - built circa 1867. The original church was built in 1822 and burned during the Civil War with a great portion of the town. The Cecil B. DeMille Family vault is in the graveyard. 

First Baptist - Early 20th Century Neo-Classical Revival. Note the unusual dome.

As you can tell, we are starting to pick up a little architectural lingo.  The walking tour was full of information on the styles of the buildings and I'm starting to actually see some of the distinctions.

This one is a "triple A frame" with an unusual porch.  Built circa 1890

This poor house was once a gorgeous piece of real estate.  It looks like someone is beginning to restore it.  I hope so as I could see the beauty it used to be.  It was built by shipping merchants around 1820 patterned after West Indies style homes that they saw during their travels.

Many of the houses we saw had been moved from their original position.  One had even had HALF of the house moved to another location.  This one was moved back from the street to its current location.  Can you image - "Honey, I'm tired of the house here, Let's move it back 50 yards."

The chimneys on this house drew my attention.  That and the wrought iron railing.  Quite a few wrought iron and cast iron balconies and railings in town.

Here's another term to learn - antebellum.  We see quite a few of this style building around.  Look up the term if you don't know it and post it in the comments below (no fair looking at others' answers).

I love the stairways that curve down on both sides of the house.  

This home was used as a hospital during the Civil War.  This house was one that has been moved.

Built circa 1857 was lauded as one of the South's most distinguished homes. Note the beautiful matching fountains in the front yard.  This house was also moved.

Late 19th century Queen Anne style frame house. It retains most of the original detailing and the carriage steps at the curb in the picture below.

 These steps were to enable entering the carriage with ease.  Note the hitching post in the foreground.

These are Federalist style homes - quite plain, both used as offices and quarters during the Civil War and both retain cannon balls lodged in their walls.  Can you see the black dots - one on the right and one on the left.  The house on the right is the oldest in Washington.  

This house was built in the federalist style as well but was then considerably altered. It was built by a sea captain and is rumored to have a ghost residing the 3rd floor.  The Ghost and Mrs. Muir?

Spring has definitely sprung in Washington and rose bushes and birds are everywhere!

It the paper here yet?  Our first red cardinal.

Mourning dove

We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Washington but will move on tomorrow, back towards New Bern.  We will be in anchorages the next two nights so may be without internet.  We'll hopefully catch back up with you in Oriental, NC!

Docked at Washington Marina, Washington, NC