The W.H. Stark House
Completed in 1894, The W.H. Stark House is a perfectly restored 15-room mansion in Orange, Texas, that was inhabited by the W.H. Stark family from 1894-1936. The three-story wood frame structure is constructed of cypress and longleaf yellow pine, a unique choice for the Southeast Texas area. The Victorian home – with its many gables, galleries and distinctive windowed turret – shows the influences of several architectural styles, most notably the Queen Anne style. The Stark House remained closed from 1936 until 1971, at which time a 10-year interior and exterior restoration process was commenced. In 1981, the House was opened to the public for guided tours. Further renovation was required after minor damage caused by Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Today, the 14,000 square-foot Stark House appears much as it did in the 1920s, filled with antique rugs, original textiles, custom-made Victorian furniture, silver, cut glass and antique porcelain. South of the main house is the original Carriage House, where two floors of collections amassed by the Stark family are displayed. This collection consists of American Brilliant Period cut glass, pressed and pattern glass, milk glass, porcelains, bronze and oriental objects, as well as other 18th and 19th century decorative accessories.
The W.H. Stark House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission.
Please visit thier website at whstarkhouse.org
Content and photos used with permission, WH Stark House, Stark Museum of Art
©2009
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WH Stark House facing Green Street in Orange
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WH Stark House facing west
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Victorian Detail
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Stair Detail (Long Leaf Pine)
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Carved Table with Cartouche
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Music Room Fireplace
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Carved Plant stand
in Music room |
Carved Cherub in Music Room
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Dining Room Cabinet
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Mitchell table detail
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Peter Mansbendel
carved this
bed (a set) for Lutcher Stark
(now in Lutcher's boyhood bedroom)
Identified in the PM Portfolio
Red Mahogany ~1920 |
Mansbendel Bed-Head board Detail
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Mansbendel Bed-Acanthus Detail
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Mansbendel Bed-Foot Detail
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Mansbendel carved bed
with Wedgewood inserts in
Walnut-~1920
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Matching vanity desk-by Mansbendel |
Mansbendel carved this Alamo scene in 1921. It is very simailr to the version he carved for Clara Driscoll (Credited for saving the Alamo) of Austin.
http://www.petermansbendel.com/laguna.asp
It was carved in
mesquite or mahogany-signed "Mansbendel" |
This vinette represents The "Driscoll's home" at Laguna Gloria In Austin. The tract of land was orginally owned by Stephen F. Austin and purchased by the Driscoll's in 1914. The name "Laguna Gloria" is dervived from Lake Como (Laguna) in Italy where they honeymooned and "Gloria" was her families ranch name "La Gloria"in West Texas. The orginal carving was presented to her and carved from a mesquite beam from the Alamo.Today, the Driscoll home is home to the "Austin Museum of Art".
http://www.amoa.org/site/PageServer
?pagename=ex_CurrentLagunaExhibition |
This vinette represents a "View to the Capitol Building " In Austin. |
The "Taking of the Alamo" by Mexican Soliders" |
photo courtesy of Patsy Herrington-WH Stark House
The following is carved on the Stark Foundation Mansbendel Alamo Carving:
THERMOPYLANE HAD IT’S DEFEAT THE ALAMO HAD NONE
MANSBENDEL 1921
The "motto" information is believed to be a reference to the Battle of Thermopylae which was an example of a patriotic army of freeman defending native soil. (How true for the defenders of the Alamo!) The battle took place in Thermopylae, Greece in August-September 480 B.C. with a Persian victory.
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This "Shall I " monk was carved by Mansbendel. This is the second known version. Carved in walnut and appox 12' high, the monk is said to be contemplating having another drink. The base has incised letters that read "Shall I" on base. It is believed that PM would carve dupicates of certain projects and sell in his shop on Congress Ave in Austin.
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"Shall I" monk detail
carved by Mansbendel. |
This mask of Lutcher came from a newell post at the "Old Main" building at the "University of Texas" in Austin. Lutcher Stark, as well as his father WH, served as directors of the board of regents at the school.
Mansbendel presented the idea of a carved mask of "Lutcher" to Mrs Stark as a "sort of souvenir" from the Old main on the UT campus. The Old Main building was replaced by the current tower at UT in 1936. Apparently, this gift was from Mansbendel for all the patronage the Starks had shown him over the years.
Courtsey of the Stark Museum of Art , Nelda and Lutcher Stark Foundation
All rights reserved ©2009
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Detail of Lutcher Stark Newell post
Feb 25, 1936
Cypress Newell Post-from old Main Bldg on UT campus
19 x 7 1/2 inches
Courtsey of the Stark Museum of Art ,
All rights reserved ©2009 |
