Embedded Files
Fundraiser: To purchase all nine plans for the 1917 remodel of the downstairs of the Shinn House . The plans reside in the Columbia University Avery archives. This will give us a better understanding of Florence Shinn's original intention and help guide any repairs in the future.
Florence Shinn hired H.A. Minton to draw up plans for several rooms in the Big House in 1917 with Colonial Revival style in mind.
Two blueprints found at the house let us know that there was a remodel and who was the architect - H.A. Minton.
The blueprints
The possible inspiration photo
The architect
The docent manual mentions that the Day Room was remodeled in a Colonial Revival Style. So someone long ago was told this or knew about this style.
Some Clues!
We found a photo in the basement that might have been an inspiration for the room. What was the inspiration for Colonial Revival?
The Big House was finished in 1876. Some time after Lucy Shinn died in 1915, her son Joseph and his family decided to move back into the Big House. Joseph, his wife Florence, and four grand-children were living in the Bungalow, not far away from the Big House.
Before moving back into the Big House, Florence commissioned H.A. Minton to remodel the downstairs. (WTNR 4/28/1917) According to family records, the Day Room, Parlor, Dining Room and Kitchen were updated in the 60-year-old house.
The Shinn archives have two or three blueprints of the project. The H.A. Minton archives at Columbia University have nine! We hope that this is the whole project and we can see what was done. Was the butler pantry created at that time, as well as the built-in breakfast nook?
The Day Room was remodeled in the Colonial Revival style, with Batchelder fireplace tiles. IMG_5881
Florence Shinn hired H.A. Minton to draw up plans for several rooms in the Big House in 1917 with Colonial Revival style in mind. How do we know this?
Drawing for the Parlor, which included a bookcase on the left of the tiled fireplace. The Parlor was modified by MPHF. Apparently the Minton mantle and bookcases were damaged by vandals after the property became a park and it was removed. A marble fireplace surround was installed in its place.
From Dr. Fisher's scrapbook of renovations to the Shinn House and Patterson House, is the renovation of the Parlor after the 1917 fireplace and bookcase were vandalized."History recycled at Shinn House; Above Left; the 1917 Modernization of the Parlor fireplace is returned to its original era by combining salvaged marble pieces, the Rix(Davis) mantle shelf and the iron fireplace insert from the Gallegos (Beard/Ellesworth granary). The R.B.F. project completed upper right. "What did VADM Shinn say when he looked into the room?
SF Call June 5, 1909 marriage announcement.
Henry A. Minton
Henry A. Minton
Why are his papers at Columbia University in the Avery Drawings and Archives? We don't really know, but are glad that they are.
H.A. Minton came to California from Boston after the 1906 Fire and Earthquake. He married Julia Gallegos, daughter of Juan Gallegos, local winemaker in 1910. The Gallegos winery was ruined in the 1906 earthquake. Some of his projects were in the Washington Township. In 1917 he worked on the Hirsch garage, the Perry residence, and the Shinn residence alterations . In the PCAD is listed the Leal Theater in Irvington (1922).
David Davidson photo
David Davidson photo
Docent Laurissa found an old photo in the basement that might have been an inspiration for the room. Even if not, it was an inspiration for us to look further into the Colonial Revival style.
How did the H.A. Minton archives end up at Columbia University?
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