William Kirkman came to Boston from England, then after gold was found in California he moved west and began mining.In time he began distributing mining supplies by running muletrains from San Francisco to Alaska.
Eventually he settled in Walla Walla were he made another fortune in cattle and sheep.
His mansion was constructed and completed in 1880-81. Kirkman died in 1893, but his wife, Isabella, kept the home in the family until 1919 when it was transerred to Whitman College and used for approximately the next ten years as dormitory for freshmen men. In 1929, it was sold to a private party who turned it into a apartment building.
In the mid-70's the Historical Architecture Development group took over and began renovating it as a project to stimulate other building owners to begin restoring, renovating, and otherwise preserving their buildings.
It worked.
To see for yourself, visit the lovely and well-preserved city of Walla Walla, Washington.
My heart fell when you said it was used for a dormitory for boys... eeek! Nice to see it restored and as it should be.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! I love the shadows of the tree across the building.
ReplyDeleteI love your style! Can you tell me if you lay down the pen lines first, before the watercolor? or the other way around? Thanks so much! I want to be just like you when I grow up!
ReplyDeleteI think that the color is right on! The shadows are a special touch. Interesting story about the home.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you use colour, the house looks as if it could be the set for a creepy movie!
ReplyDeleteFantastic sketch! The colors are beautiful and there's nothing overboard about it =)
ReplyDeleteI love the colors! Not too bright at all! In fact, I especially like the color you used for the sky!
ReplyDeleteExcellent sketch! Such character you have put into that house! This is a house that should have a story.
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