Tag Archives: History

History as cottage industry

Posted on July 29, 2020 by David Brussat

Monday’s meeting via Zoom of the Providence Historic District Commission surprised observers by delaying an expected vote to approve the relocation of a historic Italianate cottage on Williams Street, on College Hill. This was the second straight delay. That does … Continue reading →

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Remember to save Alamo

Posted on May 11, 2017 by David Brussat

The Houston Chronicle’s article “The Alamo is forgettable. A controversial new plan could change that,” by Texas Architect’s Alyssa Morris, describes a proposal to “remember” the Alamo by tinkering with its site in San Antonio. But her description of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Why preserve? PPS speaks

Posted on November 4, 2016 by David Brussat

I caught today’s “plenary” lecture by Why Preservation Matters author Max Page, and the “In the Moment” panel discussion that followed. Page kicked off a day of panels and tours for the Providence Preservation Society‘s “Why Preserve” symposium with an … Continue reading →

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Pictures of Rio de Janeiro

Posted on August 16, 2016 by David Brussat

There is very little to complain of in the category of Olympic stadiums at Rio this year. The structures all appear to have mastered the urge to look like something other than arenas for sport. No bird cages, no bubble … Continue reading →

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Photographs of Lviv, Ukraine

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David Brussat

David Mittell, whose essay “Why I love Lviv” ran here on January 26, has sent some photographs to illustrate the various conditions of architecture in Lviv, which he characterizes – truly – as one of Europe’s most beautiful unknown cities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Art and design, Landscape Architecture, Other countries, Photography, Preservation, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mittell: “Why I love Lviv”

Posted on January 26, 2016 by David Brussat

David A. Mittell Jr., of Boston, has visited Lviv 22 times, some of them while he was on the editorial board of the Providence Journal, where I first met him. He now writes independently, after a stint as editor of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Art and design, Other countries, Preservation, Providence Journal, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lists and lists of restaurants

Posted on July 11, 2015 by David Brussat

Providence has a reputation for fine dining and restaurants that grow old and increasingly beloved. Le tout foodie Prov is mourning the announced closure, on Aug. 9, of the Rue de L’Espoir. But as GoLocalProv.com’s story “Restaurants That Are Sadly … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and design, Blast from past, Books and Culture, Development, Preservation, Providence, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Cellini: Pearls before duchess

Posted on June 30, 2015 by David Brussat

In the Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1572) he discusses fighting and money a lot. Designing the settings for jewelry – his craft as a goldsmith and sometime sculptor – is the topic to which, after fighting and money, he has … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and design, Books and Culture, Humor, Other countries | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Parsing historic and historical

Posted on June 4, 2015 by David Brussat

Many older cities greet drivers with highway signs that say, for example, “Entering Historic Providence.” The capital of Rhode Island was founded in 1636, and the state’s youngest municipality, West Warwick, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. Every city and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture Education, Architecture History, Development, Preservation, Providence, Urbanism and planning | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Up, up, up in time and space

Posted on May 28, 2015 by David Brussat

Get on the elevator to the observatorium at 1 World Trade Center and you’re in for the ride of your life. Up, up, up – ascending not just through space but through time. An animated display on the walls of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Architecture History, Development, Urbanism and planning, Video | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment