Samples of old and new millworks on display at Vintage Millworks

James Dunn of Vintage Millworks in Nashville gave the chapter an inside look at the fascinating craft of traditional millwork.  One cannot understand the difference in quality and uniqueness between custom-made moldings and the moldings of a “big box” supplier until you see it firsthand. Vintage Millworks, started by James and his wife Margaret, has been creating and building quality millwork for 25 years. One of the company’s specialties is reclaiming vintage lumber from unwanted buildings, which they repair and enhance to use in millwork for restoration projects as well as new construction.

James explains the process of creating shaper knives used to carve exquisite wood moldings of all kinds.

Our chapter was delighted with a full tour of the workshop enhanced with hors’dourves and wine.  Thank you to James and Margaret for an enlightening evening. Click here for an album of photos.

Sunday, May 6, 2012
1:00–5:00 pm

Join the Tennessee Chapter for a sketching class on the grounds of the Vanderbilt Peabody campus. Charles Brindley will be on hand with a wealth of pointers and instruction to build or hone your sketching abilities. Bring along a comfortably-sized sketching pad, art pencils, eraser, a light folding chair, and a desire to sketch. We will be in a stunning natural and architectural surround with an unending array of subjects that need to be drawn by YOU. We will meet and park at the Edgehill Avenue entrance at Magnolia Circle, walking from there into the campus with sketching stops along the way. [Click here for a map] Bottled water will be provided. You may want to pack a snack according to your needs for a four-hour event. Restrooms will be available.

We received the following report from Mark McClure on the recent tour of the Goodwinslow House in Memphis. The 1875 house was built by William Washington Goodwin, who served in the Confederate calvary under General Nathan Bedford Forrest. He made three trips to Europe after the war and returned with the desire and ideas for an eclectic mansion that combined Germanic, Italian, and English influences. Mr. McClure says:

We had a small but enthusiastic turnout, but that made the tour manageable and more fun. I have attached a few photos of the house, which is very eclectic. The history of the house and its owners over the generations (only one family) is just as, if not more, interesting than the architecture. It was a step back in time. Of special note is quite a collection of family military memorabilia (Smithsonian quality flags, swords, and photos). The current owner (who served as our tour guide) was very colorful and entertaining. Beautiful weather. A fun afternoon!

Tennessee Chapter exhibit at the Antiques and Garden Show. Photo by Chris Eller.

The Tennessee Chapter hosted an exhibit at the 2012 Nashville Antiques and Garden Show, the largest event of its kind in the country. We wanted you to see our exhibit (which was designed and furnished by David White of Erwin & White), and to put some scale to it, our own Chris Eller made himself the model. As he described it, “The talent budget was nil and the pickings were slim. I set the camera timer and reluctantly inserted myself into the decor.  There you have it.”

The show was a success!  Our chapter was well represented throughout the weekend, which expanded the presence of the ICAA locally and nationally. Thanks to David White for the great effort of dreaming up the idea, arranging the space rental, and designing and furnishing the display. See more photos, including the signs featuring our sponsors and professional members, here.

Kem Hinton addresses the Tennessee Chapter. Photo by Chris Eller.

The Tennessee Chapter of the ICAA began 2012 with a lecture and tour at the award-winning firm of Tuck-Hinton Architects in Nashville. The firm is located in the former Elm Street Methodist Church (c. 1871). Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the church was brought into the 20th (and 21st) century by Tuck and Hinton.

Our chapter had the privilege of being addressed by the modernist architect Kem Hinton. Along with interesting anecdotes from working on some of the Nashville’s most significant projects, Hinton discussed his perspective on neoclassicism and the influence of Classicism and traditionalism on modernism.

Tuck-Hinton’s projects include the Tennessee Bicentennial Mall, an all-new project that tells the story of our state from prehistoric times through its first 200 years, and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, a reuse of the Art Deco U.S. Post Office in downtown Nashville. Their versatility and impact are evident in the diversity of their projects: civic, education, religious, commercial, residential, museums and performance. Their latest major project is Music City Center, Nashville’s massive convention center, for which Tuck-Hinton is a partner architect. Enjoy our photo album.

The Annual Meeting in Memphis offered the complete package for attendees, from Elvis to barbecue, with superb lectures and educational opportunities, as well.

Russell Versaci presented a beautiful lecture about the worldwide origins of our nation’s regional vernacular styles. He demonstrated the reason Charleston has the side porch and why Texas has stone houses built by German craftsmen. Versaci signed copies of his two books, Creating a New Old House and Roots of Home.

Francis Morrone wowed us with his images and historical presentation of the New York Public Library. Morrone recently co-authored the re-issue of Henry Hope Reed’s work on the New York Public Library. The book, filled with stunning color photographs and helpful annotated details, has been called “the best architecture book of the new century.” Morrone walked us through every corner of the library and gave a passionate defense of why he believes it is New York City’s finest building.

Bill Nixon provided an informative tour of the Memphis School of Law which is located in the historical customs house and U.S. post office building of Memphis. His tour of the building included his exposition of the design and engineering challenges along the way. Among them was retrofitting the building for seismic structure since Memphis lies on the New Madrid fault line.  The building was beautifully and tastefully upgraded and preserved. Bill is a founder of Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects and graduated from the University of Durham in England. One interesting detail that Bill revealed about himself (a fact he rarely shares) was that Elvis Presley was a client of his.

We enjoyed the company of national ICAA president, Paul Gunther.  During a lunchtime presentation at the Rendezvous, Paul graciously shared his knowledge of membership drives and fundraising as well as his vision for the growing network of local chapters.

Many thanks to Mark McClure for his leadership in organizing this year’s meeting and to our sponsors who made it possible (Lellyett and Rogers, Christie Cut Stone, Cumberland Architectural Millwork, DaVentions, Gallery Kitchens, Old City Millwork and Susan Hager.)

 photo album