Curtze Mansion Power Point (2)

8/14/2019 Curtze Mansion Power Point (2)

1/25

What makes theWatson-Curtze Mansionan aesthetic experience?

By Jackie Mccarthy

AndChris Blanchard


2/25

History of the House

The Watson-Curtze Mansion stands as asymbol of the upper class lifestyle of the

1800s in Erie. This was a time when Eriewas nearing the peak of its industrialdevelopment. The businessmen andindustrialists who took advantage of this

era to accumulate their fortunes enjoyed


3/25

History of the House Cont.

Two families occupied the Mansionbefore it became a museum. The firstwas Harrison F. Watson, his wife Carrie

Tracy Watson, and their daughterWinifred. The Watsons moved into the

house in 1891. Harrison Watson wasthe president of the H.F. Watson PaperCompany, which manufactured building,roofing, and lining materials, as well assteam pipe and boiler packaging

coverings. In 1923, the house was sold to Frederick

Felix Curtze. Mr. Curtze was presidentof the Erie Trust Company, HeislerLocomotive Works, Union Iron Worksand the Keystone Fish Company. The


4/25

History of the House Cont.

In 1941, after Mr. Curtze died, his familyoffered the mansion to the SchoolDistrict of the City of Erie to be used asa museum. The Museum Department of

the Erie Public Library moved into themansion when it became the Erie PublicMuseum. Today, the house is ownedand operated by the Erie CountyHistorical Society.


5/25

The main hall of the houseoriginally contained severalpieces of furniture. It featuresthe rose carnagione vestibule,Italian Breccia fireplace withcarved woodwork and Celticmotif mosaics, hand-painted

friezes, a coffered ceiling, andan alcove with peacock friezes

and stained glass windows.

Main Hall


6/25


7/25

Drawing Room

The drawing room was used for

formal entertainment and forreceiving visitors. Its most notablefeatures include the Mexican Onyxfireplace, a Gesso duro ceiling, andfabric covered walls.


8/25

Library

The library was once the home of theWatson familys collection ofreference books, a collection knownthroughout the city.


9/25

Dining Room

The Dining Room table, chairs, and

sideboard are part of the originalfurnishings of the mansion. Notice the

Yellow African marble fireplace, Mexicanfrontier mahogany woodwork, hand-

painted friezes, and stained glass


10/25


11/25

Solarium Solariums were popular in the

homes of the wealthy from the1870s to the 1900s. Theoriginal solarium roof was madeof leaded glass squares. Therooms special features includethe marble mosaic floor anddecorative stonework.


12/25

DenThis small but unique room features

cabinets with shallow drawers thatwere once used by Mr. Watson tohouse his rock and mineralcollection. Notice the tile fireplace

and the Hazelwood woodwork.


13/25

Southwest Bedroom

This bedroom once was occupied byCarrie Watson. It features a walk-through closet and a beautifulfireplace.


14/25

Winifreds Bedroom

When the Watsonfamily lived in themansion, this was

their daughterWinifreds bedroom.Notice the tilefireplace, curly maple

woodwork, benchseating areas, and around stained glasswindows made of

small florets.


15/25

Master Bedroom

Containing the Master Bathroom, thisbedroom originally belonged to Mr.Watson. The Libson marblefireplace, white curly maple and

Birdseye maple woodwork, andoriginal ceiling design add to therooms charm.


16/25


17/25

Southeast BedroomThis room was probably used as

a guest room. Restorations wererecently completed.


18/25

Ballroom

The originalbilliard room isadjacent to theballroom. The

rose trellisceiling designand themusicians

balcony are ofspecial note.


19/25

Architecture & Design

The architectural style of the houseis known as RichardsonianRomanesque, named after the

famous architect Henry HobsonRichardson. The firm of Green andWicks from Buffalo, New Yorkdesigned the house in 1889. The

style is characterized by the use ofthe massive geometric shapes,straightforward treatment of stone

and broad roof planes. The overalleffect de ends on mass volume and


20/25

Architecture & Design

Heavily applied decorative woodworkappears throughout the house. Hardwoodoak floors are found in all the rooms. Eventhe decorative hinges, door knobs anddrawer pulls indicate the high level ofdetail incorporated in the building of themansion.

Since the house was built during thetransition from gas to electric light, mostof the early light fixtures in the mansionallow for either gas or electric light. A veryunique feature is the elevator, which

operated between the first and third floors.


21/25

Architecture & Design Cont.

The mansion has 24 rooms, 17closets, 5 bathrooms and 12fireplaces. Most of the rooms are

very different in design and style.Upon close inspection many unusualbuilding materials and features can

be found. There are mosaics (inlaidpatterens made of bits of stone glassor other materials), friezes (hand-

painted oil paintings on canvas that


22/25


23/25


24/25


25/25

Documents

Curtze Mansion Power Point (2)