United States of America -- West Virginia -- Marion County -- Fairmont
Biographical / Historical:
It is likely that Julian Abele (1881-1950), one of the first prominent African American architects of the early twentieth century, should be credited for his design work on this project. Abele started working for Horace Trumbauer's all-white firm around 1902 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture. Abele was sent by Trumbauer to study in Paris at one of the most prestigious art schools, the École, until 1906. He returned to work as the assistant to the firm's chief designer but was quickly promoted to chief designer in 1909. Between 1909 and Trumbauer's death in 1938, Abele worked on dozens, if not hundreds, of projects for the firm, predominately uncredited. Though it was custom at the time to attribute architectural designs to the head of the firm instead of the individual designers, it is notable that an early pioneering African American architect likely contributed to this project.
General:
High Gate was the estate of James Edwin Watson, heir to a West Virginia coal dynasty, and was located in his native city, Fairmont, West Virginia. Designed by notable Philadelphia architect, Horace Trumbauer, the twenty-five-room mansion was completed by 1912. Trumbauer's design was in the Jacobethan Revival style, which pulled elements from manor houses of the Jacobean and Elizabethan periods, particularly the use of half-timbered, stucco-clad walls. Also called "Stockbroker's Tudor" style, the mansion and adjacent carriage house were surrounded by immense, ornamental iron gates and fencing, which earned the property its name. Named for the immense iron gates at the entrance of the property.
A frequent collaborator of Horace Trumbauer, Philadelphia landscape architect, Oglesby Paul, designed the grounds. Around the mansion and in the courtyard of the carriage house, Paul employed flower beds, boxed hedges, shrubbery, catalpa, white birch, and magnolia trees. To the rear of the buildings, exotic trees and shrubs highlighted a box garden, tennis court, and a sunken garden, which featured lighting around stone conversation benches. The gardens also included garden ornaments such as a sundial and large bird bath. The regulation, clay tennis court was once the home of the Tiffany Cup Championship games.
Following the death of Watson, the home was sold to the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1929. The renamed it St. Joseph's Villa and used it as a rest home and later a kindergarten. It later became the Ross funeral home and the carriage house became a nursing home. In 1982, High Gate was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was later transferred to the Vandalia Heritage Foundation, an organization promoting historic preservation throughout northern West Virginia.
Persons associated include: James Edwin Watson (former owner), Horace Trumbauer (architect), Oglesby Paul (landscape architect), the Sisters of Saint Joseph (former owner), and Vandalia Heritage Foundation (owner).
National Register of Historic Places, High Gate, Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia, National Register #82004326.
Postcards circa 1930-1945.
Varying Form:
Also known as James Edwin Watson House, Saint Joseph's Villa, and Ross Funeral Home.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Richard Marchand historical postcard collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid in this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
