Pleasant Hill, Vance County, North Carolina, 1938, by Frances Benjamin Johnston for the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
The plantation house, later known as Rivenoak, was built sometime between 1750 and 1780 by Philemon Hawkins, Jr.
A 2011 view of the house is here. Unfortunately the stone columns are gone.
I suppose one should be glad they retained those terrific chimneys, but what a change without those columns. I suppose that deep porch would keep out the light but really was a beautiful feature. You would just have to mention the “house with the porch columns” and everyone would know which house you were talking about. I also kind of like the b/w unpainted appearance in the old photo.
They must have wanted to restore the house to its colonial era appearance (or the columns were beyond repair and too expensive to rebuild), but, I agree, what a pity.
I like the soft look of the faded paint too, but I think the problem with that is, the year after you’ve achieved the perfect antique patina, the finish moves on to decrepit looking.
When seeing vintage photos of beautiful old houses, I always wonder if they still stand. I am glad this one does, even without those stone columns.
I know, so many of the wonderful ones are gone.
The age of the house is what is remarkable to me. 230 some years and still standing attests to the quality of building materials and their durability. Not to mention the fact that the high quality of the work force of the day.