Wednesday, November 25, 2009

WE USE TO SCRUB OUR STEPS!

Melanie was kind enough to share the following YouTube video with me, as well as walk me through the steps of posting and resizing it to fit my page. She really is quite amazing with technology. Thanks again Melanie!

Video courtesy of YouTube

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Wilkens Avenue

(Image courtesy of Google Images)


I somehow managed to forget to do a blog entry last week, so I am going to try to make up for it by posting a high-quality entry this week. For this post, I have decided to focus on the 2600 block of Wilkens Avenue.
Maryland Route 372, more widely known as Wilkens Avenue, is a very noteworthy neighborhood in my study of marble steps because it houses Baltimore’s longest series of row-homes, each originally adorned with marble stoops. In addition to the steps, the windows and doorframes are also accented with marble trim on this strip.




(Image courtesy of Google Images)


Wilkens Avenue is located in Southwest Baltimore and northwest of the Gwynns Falls. It is also known as the Mill Hill Deck of Cards Block because the block contains fifty-two, two-story brick townhouses which are all connected to each other. Laying more than 1,800 feet, it possibly may be the longest row of connected townhomes in the world.


(Image courtesy of Google Maps)

Baltimore’s longest rowhome block was built in 1912 on land that was owned by William Wilkens (hence how the avenue got its name). A good number of the residents at that time were employed either at the William Wilkens Company which was a hair factory, or at one of the many breweries located nearby. The original price for the homes on Wilkens Avenue ran about $1,250.00 and included full basement, complete wiring, piping for natural gas and sewage, and hot air heating.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Plugging along...

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now about this research paper. I have yet to actually begin writing the paper, though I have been conducting and collecting a significant amount of research regarding marble stoops in Baltimore. I was, however, relieved to find out Professor Singer reduced the length of the paper from 3,000 words down to 2,300.
My goal is to begin focusing on the paper after Thanksgiving break. I say after the break because I am having all four wisdom teeth (three of which are impacted) removed the day after Thanksgiving. I will either be numb from all the drugs they give me, or in excruciating pain. Either way, I’m not going to get much done that week on the paper!
This week I went back to Enoch Pratt Library, mainly to return a book I borrowed about Baltimore rowhomes, but also to work on my presentation on Baltimore housing that was due this week, before our class was cancelled. I was able to renew three books I checked out from Langsdale over the phone tonight. I am so lucky I called too, because they were actually due yesterday, but the library gives students a three day grace period!
I found a video on YouTube that I spent the last hour, unsuccessfully, trying to upload to this blog. Like uploading the photos, I'm sure I will get it eventually.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Maryland Historical Society visit

Last Friday I visited the Maryland Historical Society for the first time. I forgot about the small fee they charge to get in and more importantly, that they close their doors from noon-1pm so their employees may go to lunch. Luckily I was able to find what I needed with some help from the knowledgeable, yet not so personable, staff. Be prepared if you go, they do not allow you to bring anything, and I do mean anything, into the library except a pencil and paper. No pens, no cell phones, no bottled water. Surprisingly, they do provide free locker service. Well, not really, I suppose that’s what the $6 admission price goes towards. Also, bring cash because they charge for copies and all pictures you take. Ask before you take any photos, too, because you have to put some copy right laminate over the image before you snap your shot.
I was somewhat disappointed that most of the material I found I had already discovered at the Enoch Pratt Library. I was able to make copies of some new articles I found from the Baltimore Sun, and copy a page from the Maryland Picture Portfolio Series, which provided valuable information about marble steps.
Again, unfortunately, this week was extremely busy for me. Our mid-term was due this week and I was originally supposed to present my chapter on housing in Baltimore. Luckily, that presentation was postponed until next week. I also had a book review due for another class. I thought taking 6 credits this semester would be cake compared to the 12 credits I am accustomed to usually taking. I stand corrected!
P.S. Check out my first post, I added an image of the first book I found at Enoch Pratt. I feel so accomplished, I am now able to upload photos where I want them to go!