Overwhelming the observers with its impressive appearance and striking intrigue of the architecture, resplendent example of the Gilded Age architecture is standing proudly at the Middle Street, 602. This marvelous 5300 square feet mansion, created in 1903 by lumber baron Williams B. Blades, is one of the best specimens of Queen Anne Victorian style with additions in Colonial Revival style. The beautiful house is the work of the famous local Herbert Woodley Simpson architect who drew masterly combining different styles to recreate a home, which still fascinates the eye over a century later than its establishment.
The Lumber Baron Behind the Mansion
Williams B. Blades played a significant role in the lumber industry of the early 20 th century when timber barons were a powerful economic and social force. At the time, the lumber business was on such a boom thanks to the explosive growth of the west and the immense amount of building that went hand in hand with the early 20 th century. Rich lumber barons such as Blades tended to order elaborate houses that were not only the family homes but were also a display of their own prosperity and status.
It is not surprising that in 1903 a decision to construct such an impressive mansion was made because the lumber business flourished at the point of time. They built William B. Blades House (1903) which remains a typical Colonial Revival residence with neoclassical columns and pediments and the lovely interior woodwork. The architectural investment was not only a personal boost it was also a boost to the architectural history of the community.
Herbert Woodley Simpson: The Architect’s Vision
New Bern’s premier architect of the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries was Herbert W. Simpson, whose designs included residences, public buildings, schools, making him one of the most influential architectural figures of his time. Simpson’s ability to blend different architectural styles while maintaining coherent design principles is evident throughout his body of work, with the Blades mansion standing as one of his most impressive residential achievements.
Herbert Woodley Simpson (1870-1945) established himself as a master of incorporating multiple architectural influences into cohesive designs that reflected both contemporary trends and timeless elegance. His approach to the Blades mansion demonstrates his sophisticated understanding of how to merge Queen Anne exuberance with Colonial Revival refinement, creating a home that was both fashionable and enduring.
Queen Anne Architecture: Understanding the Style
Queen Anne architecture was the most popular style of residential design in the United States between the 1880s and the early 1900s; it marked an expressive change in terms of restrained Victorian styles that had swept the Americans. EBOOKISO: 1880 s – 1900 (1905 in the West). IDENTIFYING FEATURES: Steeply pitched, irregular roof shapes; mass dominant, front facing, gable; pattern shingle, bay windows, picturesque massing, and polychromatic and decorative ornamentation, partial or full width porches, several gables and dormers and sometimes towers and turrets.
Industrial revolution in the UK and America was the driving force in the call to change in architecture. New technologies and materials were available by the time Queen Victoria sat on the throne and we can see that architects became interested in them and inspired by them. The mass production and mass transportation (rail), in turn, enabled architects to venture into many possibilities. This also developed new technology that could be used by architecture to include new intricate decorations and complications in structures that would have been too costly or still technically difficult at previous ages.
Queen Anne style was about asymmetry, different textures, and excessive detail. The houses of this type were characterised by bay-windows, partly circular porches, spindle ornamentation and ornate gingerbread. This focus on architectural drama and visual interest in the style proved to be so popular among rich Americans that wanted their homes to make a statement of their prosperity and sought after taste.
Colonial Revival Elements: A Refined Addition
The fact that Simpson included Colonial Revival aspects into the design of the Blades mansion is also indicative of the overall architectural tendency of that period, i.e., in the early 20th century American architectures started finding the inspiration in the country colonial past to design their buildings. The Colonial revival movement was a form of the need to associate with the American architecture without losing the grandeur and sophistication rich customers required.
Colonial Revival was an architectural style that focused on symmetry, Classical proportions and references to Georgian architecture and Federal period. Wide-spread elements were columns, pediments, fanlight windows, and formalities of such facades. With combined elements of Queen Anne skillfully applied, i.e. as Simpson executed it in the Blades mansion, the result was an elegant architecture composition truly respecting the American colonial traditions and the forward thinking of the Victorian era.
Such stylistic mix produced houses that had a historic base and were modern, and these sought the attention of the clients who valued architectural heritage, and still enjoyed the best of the amenities and the tastes of the designs. The prosperity of this type is witnessed by the long-lasting popularity and architectural value of the mansion.
The George Barber Connection: Architectural Influences
It is not at all a coincidence that the design of the Blades mansion created by Simpson has the similarities to work by George Franklin Barber. George Franklin Barber (18541915). Barber is most famous by his houses, though he also designed churches, barns, and storefronts. Barber was among the most influential and well-known catalog architects of America whose house plans were spread all over the country and built in the communities.
The houses built during this era have the following characteristics imposing turrets, protruding windows, a veranda with circular pavilions on either side and Syrian arches which came to be the characteristic aspects of residential architecture of the late Victorian period. The designs created by Barber were extremely popular and were published and distributed across the United States which affected the architects and builders.
The similarity between Simpson’s work and Barber’s designs suggests the widespread influence of catalog architecture during this period. Even accomplished local architects like Simpson were aware of and influenced by the popular designs circulating through architectural pattern books and magazines. This cross-pollination of ideas contributed to the development of regional architectural styles that shared common elements while maintaining local character.
Barber’s Queen Anne designs were particularly popular because they offered the visual drama and ornate detailing that wealthy clients desired while providing practical floor plans suitable for modern family life. With its tall roof, diverse forms, and capacious porches, the Dixon-Powell House is among the state’s prime examples of the Queen Anne style, demonstrating the lasting appeal of this architectural approach.
Architectural Features and Design Elements
The Blades mansion’s impressive 5,300 square feet encompass numerous architectural features that exemplify both Queen Anne and Colonial Revival design principles. The home’s complex facade demonstrates Simpson’s masterful handling of varied architectural elements, creating visual interest while maintaining overall coherence.
The mansion’s exterior likely features the asymmetrical massing characteristic of Queen Anne design, with bay windows, decorative trim, and varied textures creating visual drama. The Colonial Revival elements would include classical columns, pediments, and other neoclassical details that provide formal structure to the overall composition.
Interior spaces in homes of this caliber typically featured elaborate woodwork, decorative plaster details, and sophisticated room arrangements that reflected both the family’s lifestyle and social expectations of the period. The substantial square footage allowed for both formal entertaining spaces and comfortable family areas, with service areas carefully planned to support the household’s daily operations.
The integration of modern conveniences available in 1903, such as electric lighting, central heating, and modern plumbing systems, would have made this mansion a showcase of contemporary luxury while maintaining its architectural character and historical styling.
The Mansion’s Historical Context
Construction of the Blades mansion in 1903 placed it within a significant period of American architectural and social development. The early 1900s represented the height of the American Gilded Age, when successful businessmen like Williams B. Blades were commissioning elaborate homes that demonstrated their prosperity and cultural sophistication.
This period saw unprecedented wealth creation through industrial development, including the lumber industry that provided Blades with his fortune. The construction of grand residences served multiple purposes: they provided comfortable and impressive homes for wealthy families, demonstrated social status within the community, and contributed to local economic development through construction employment and architectural innovation.
The mansion’s survival to the present day speaks to both the quality of its construction and its continued architectural significance. Many grand homes from this period have been lost to development pressure, changing lifestyles, or maintenance challenges, making surviving examples like the Blades mansion particularly valuable as historical and architectural resources.
Preservation and Legacy
Historic homes like the Blades mansion serve as tangible connections to America’s architectural and social history. They provide insights into the lifestyles, values, and craftsmanship of earlier eras while contributing to community character and historical continuity.
The preservation of such significant architectural landmarks requires ongoing maintenance, restoration expertise, and community support. These homes often face challenges including maintenance costs, modern utility updates, and compatibility with contemporary living requirements while maintaining their historical integrity.
The recognition of the mansion’s architectural significance helps ensure its preservation for future generations. Historic designation, architectural documentation, and public appreciation all contribute to protecting these irreplaceable cultural resources.
Simpson’s Broader Architectural Legacy
Simpson’s most spectacular residence was the James B. Blades House (1913), a granite and yellow brick mansion, demonstrating his continued success and architectural evolution beyond the 1903 Williams B. Blades house. This later project shows Simpson’s growing reputation and ability to attract significant commissions throughout his career.
Herbert Woodley Simpson’s architectural practice encompassed a wide range of building types, from residential mansions to public buildings and schools. His work contributed significantly to the architectural character of his community and established design standards that influenced local building practices for generations.
The architect’s ability to work successfully within multiple architectural styles while maintaining design quality and client satisfaction demonstrates the professional skills and artistic vision that made him a sought-after designer during the early 20th century.
The Mansion Today: Continuing Architectural Significance
The Williams B. Blades mansion continues to serve as an outstanding example of early 20th-century residential architecture, demonstrating the successful integration of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival design elements. Its survival provides contemporary observers with the opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship, materials, and design sophistication that characterized high-quality residential construction during America’s Gilded Age.
The home’s architectural significance extends beyond its individual merit to represent broader trends in American residential design, the influence of catalog architecture, and the prosperity of early 20th-century industrial leaders. These multiple layers of significance make the mansion valuable both as an architectural landmark and as a historical document.
Modern appreciation for the mansion’s design qualities helps ensure its continued preservation and maintenance, allowing future generations to experience and learn from this exceptional example of American architectural heritage.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of American Architecture
The Williams B. Blades mansion at 602 Middle Street stands as a testament to the architectural excellence achievable when skilled designers, prosperous clients, and favorable historical circumstances converge. Herbert Woodley Simpson’s masterful integration of Queen Anne exuberance with Colonial Revival refinement created a home that has maintained its architectural significance and visual appeal for more than a century.
The mansion’s resemblance to George Franklin Barber’s catalog designs illustrates the complex web of influences that shaped American residential architecture during the early 1900s. While local architects like Simpson maintained their individual design approaches, they operated within a broader architectural culture that shared common influences, materials, and aesthetic preferences.
The survival of this magnificent home provides contemporary communities with an irreplaceable connection to America’s architectural and social history. Its continued presence enriches the streetscape, provides historical continuity, and serves as inspiration for contemporary architects and designers seeking to understand the principles that create enduring architectural excellence.
As we appreciate the Williams B. Blades mansion today, we recognize not only its individual architectural merit but also its representation of an era when American prosperity, craftsmanship, and design ambition combined to create residential architecture of exceptional quality and lasting significance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What architectural style is the Williams B. Blades mansion?
The mansion is primarily designed in the Queen Anne style with Colonial Revival elements incorporated into its facade. This combination was popular in the early 1900s and demonstrates architect Herbert Woodley Simpson’s skill in blending multiple architectural influences into a cohesive design.
Who was Williams B. Blades and why did he commission this mansion?
Williams B. Blades was a lumber baron who achieved considerable wealth during the early 1900s lumber industry boom. He commissioned this impressive 5,300 square foot mansion in 1903 as both a family residence and a symbol of his business success and social status within the community.
Who designed the Blades mansion and what other notable buildings did he create?
The mansion was designed by Herbert Woodley Simpson (1870-1945), who was considered New Bern’s premier architect of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Simpson designed numerous residences, public buildings, and schools throughout his career, including the later James B. Blades House in 1913.
Why does the mansion resemble George Franklin Barber’s architectural designs?
The resemblance to George Barber’s work reflects the widespread influence of catalog architecture during this period. Barber was a prominent catalog architect whose house plans were distributed nationwide, influencing local architects like Simpson who were aware of popular design trends circulating through architectural pattern books and magazines.
What are the key features of Queen Anne architecture seen in this mansion?
Queen Anne architecture typically features steeply pitched irregular roofs, dominant front-facing gables, patterned shingles, bay windows, decorative ornamentation, wrap-around porches, multiple gables and dormers, and sometimes towers and turrets. The style celebrated asymmetry and visual drama through varied textures and ornate detailing.
What Colonial Revival elements were incorporated into the mansion’s design?
Colonial Revival elements likely include neoclassical columns, pediments, fanlight windows, and formal balanced facade elements. These features provided classical structure and historical reference points that balanced the more exuberant Queen Anne design elements.
When was the mansion built and what was the historical context?
Construction was completed in 1903 during America’s Gilded Age, a period of unprecedented wealth creation through industrial development. The early 1900s represented the height of elaborate residential architecture commissioned by successful businessmen who wanted their homes to demonstrate prosperity and cultural sophistication.
What makes this mansion architecturally significant today?
The mansion represents an outstanding example of early 20th-century residential architecture, successfully integrating multiple architectural styles while maintaining design coherence. Its survival provides valuable insights into Gilded Age craftsmanship, materials, and design sophistication, making it an important architectural and historical landmark.
How large is the Blades mansion and what features would it have included?
The mansion encompasses 5,300 square feet and would have included elaborate interior woodwork, decorative plaster details, sophisticated room arrangements for both formal entertaining and family life, and modern conveniences available in 1903 such as electric lighting, central heating, and modern plumbing systems.
What challenges do historic mansions like this face in terms of preservation?
Historic mansions face ongoing challenges including maintenance costs, the need for restoration expertise, updating modern utilities while maintaining historical integrity, and compatibility with contemporary living requirements. Preservation requires community support, proper documentation, and often historic designation to ensure protection for future generations.
