Architectural History: Bloomsbury - Part 2.

Thank you Dick Simons for providing us with a copy of the Fall 2009 edition of the magazine, Carologue. From an article by Katherine W. Giles entitled Albert Simons, "The Dean of Charleston Architects," I derived information on Albert Simons.

To understand the Bloomsbury of today you need to know the man who guided its restoration. Albert Simons has been called the Charleston "Dean of Architects." Born in Charleston on July 6, 1890, he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. There, he studied under the acclaimed French architect Paul Cret. After graduating in 1912, he toured Europe and North Africa for 18 months. Upon his return, he went to work for the prominent Baltimore architect Lawrence Hall Fowler, through whom he was privileged to meet Howard Sill.

With the out-break of World War I, construction came to a stand-still. Simons lost his job in Maryland and returned to Charleston. He occupied himself by studying and drawing the city's old buildings. When the noted artist Alice Ravenel Huger asked for some architectural drawings for her book, Simons obliged. He helped to create what would become the acclaimed, The Dwelling Houses of Charleston. Next, he joined the architectural firm of Todd, Simon, & Todd. His first restoration job was the installation of bathrooms in the William Washington House at 8 South Battery. All were impressed with his ability to modernize without destroying the historic integrity of the home. In 1917, Simons married Harriet Porcher Stoney; they had four children.
After the war, Simons joined forces with Samuel Lapham. In 1920, they formed Simons and Lapham. It was tough times, they found work in unlikely places: local plantations and homes purchased by wealthy northerners (of which Bloomsbury is a perfect example). His pen walked through history and he wrote several seminal works including Plantations of the Carolina Lowcountry and the Octagon Library of Early American Architecture, Volume I: Charleston, South Carolina a definitive work on Charleston architecture.

The history of architectural renovation in Charleston has his fingerprints everywhere. In 1931 Simons led the effort to establish Charleston's Board of Architectural Review. For forty years, he was the only architectural member. He was part of the restoration of many of Charleston's most noted architectural gems: the Heyward-Washington House, the Joseph Manigault House, the Dock Street Theatre, the Nathaniel Russell House, and the Historical Society's fireproof building. And thanks to his work, the Robert Mills's Patent Office Building in Washington, D.C. was saved. Today we can all enjoy it as the National Portrait Gallery.
Robert P. Stockton of the Preservation Society of Charleston once observed, "Mr. Simons said he preferred the use of 'friendly persuasion' in preventing the harmful alteration or destruction of historic structures. 'Sometimes I won; sometimes I lost,' he said. But always, was avoided the kind of confrontation which might make an applicant take his case into court, 'where a judge may have keen knowledge of the law, but may have no sense of architectural propriety."

Through many years, Simons continued to practice and served on the National Committee of the Historic American Building Survey, the State Board of Architectural Examiners, president of the Carolina Art Association, associate member of the National Academy of Design, and as a member of the Society of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Albert Simons died on May 23, 1980. With continued gratitude, we hereby highlight the man who provided the architectural expertise that saved Bloomsbury in the early 1930s.

Architectual History of Bloomsbury Inn - 1930. Part I

In 1930, Mr. John Weeks, of New York, bought Bloomsbury for a winter retreat. If you closely observe a picture of Bloomsbury made in 1915, you can see that the shutters are falling apart and the paint is peeling off the house. Mr. Weeks contacted the most prestigious South Carolina architectural firm in the state, Simons and Lapham, to design the renovation of the home. Bloomsbury would not be here today if it was not for Mr. Simons.
On Tuesday, February 1st, Katherine and I meet with the family of the famed South Carolina architect Albert Simons. The meeting took place at the South Carolina Historical Society building in Charleston. The purpose of the visit was to bring the architectural drawings and the 50+ pages of specifications that we had in our possession, and compare them to what was filed in the archives. The Historical Society did have several drawings that we did not possess. We are in the process of obtaining copies. The Historical Society made a copy of our book of specifications for their records.
It was a great pleasure to meet Harriet Williams, the daughter of Albert Simons. It was most interesting to hear the history of the firm and stories of the famous architect and his work ethic, diligence and dedication to his craft. And, to once again see Dick Simons, his grandson. Dick stayed at Bloomsbury. As we were discussing the wonder of the architecture of the home, Dick asked who was the architect of the renovation; I said "Simons and Lapham". At that instant I put two and two together as Dick said Albert Simons was my grandfather. He invited us to Charleston to meet his aunt and to look over the materials in the achieves. That is why we were in Charleston. It is amazing the people you meet in a Bed and Breakfast.
This photo features Dick Simons and Harriet Williams. My next blog entry will talk about Mr. Simons and his many accomplishments. I think you will find it interesting as we walk through the architectural history of Charleston. Bruce A. Brown

Who Wants in Bloomsbury

Guess who really wants to live inside at Bloomsbury... at least, part of the time. Perhaps that is the "time" she knows we are in the house. Yes, Miss Kitty Stray is trying very hard to wedge her way inside. She is a long-hair, furry tabby with a distinctive coat that features stripes/swirling patterns. She is blessed with an "M" mark on its forehead. This long hair, mixed with lots of fur, is reason enough for her to be the inn cat who lives on the porch. She has a heated bed; she has a timed feeder; she has a brush and treats. The inn cat on the porch of Bloomsbury isn't so bad.

Introducing Miss Kitty Stray to Bloomsbury Inn

In December, this beautiful, fluffy cat started hanging around. Believing that she was lost, we contacted the shelter, local vets and posted her photo on FB...no one claimed her. In January, she was still here. Cold, cold, cold. See the ice on the steps. So, we decided to feed her. She quickly announced that she was going no where...her new home was Bloomsbury Inn. With a clean bill of health from our vet, her shots were updated and a heated cat bed was added to the front verandah of Bloomsbury Inn. She is quickly learning her "porch manners": 1) must be brushed everyday; 2) cannot invite friends over without permission;. 3) cannot walk on the tables; 4) cannot sneak inside the glass door; 5) only gets fed morning and night; and, 6) should not rub on the legs of Bloomsbury Inn guests. So far, so good!

Select Registry

International...national...Historic Camden continues to draw tourists from around the world. Bloomsbury Inn, one of our local businesses, is a key player in this draw. Just shortly after Select Registry, distinguished inns of North America, raised their bar of excellence, Bloomsbury Inn scored in the top 5 percent on a no-notice inspection. Out of tens of thousands of inns in North America, selection places Bloomsbury in the exceptional company of only 400 other bed and breakfasts/inns in the Country and of only seven in the State of South Carolina. "The Bloomsbury Inn exemplifies the high quality and service championed by Select Registry," says membership director Carol Riggs.
Bloomsbury Inn epitomizes two of the things we enjoy in Camden: beautifully restored pre-Civil War homes and the business, economic impact of tourism. Located right in the midst of the historic district, this property holds much of the charm and ambiance you would typically find in a country setting. Upon arrival, guests park in off street parking and ascend to a distinctive rain porch and into a lovingly restored home. As Cheryl, a recent guest, wrote, " This is my second stay at Bloomsbury and I wouldn't stay anywhere else. The house evokes the loving care Bruce and Katharine put in to renovations and continue daily. Upon entering you feel yourself start to unwind and slow down. The rooms are the most comfortable, the breakfast over the top, but I think it is the atmosphere that makes the stay so enjoyable. You won't find anyone more gracious than these innkeepers. Bloomsbury is truly a beautiful southern lady and something to behold."
With countless accolades and with worldwide press for both the inn and Historic Camden, it is no surprise that Bloomsbury Inn has been selected to be a member of Select Registry. For gift-giving certificates or reservations, visit www.bloomsburyinn.com.

There are many reasons I wish to recommend the Bloomsbury for your next visit to Camden, SC.
First of all and most importantly the innkeepers Bruce and Katherine Brown are very professional hosts that pay very close attention to all the details to ensure your stay will be a perfect one. It is easy to see why they are award winning hosts and why this is one of the top 10 bed and breakfasts in the nation. Bruce has a million stories from his military career as well as the history of the beautiful home that he shares with the guest during the evening hospitality hour. Katherine’s creativity and attention to details during the meal in both presentation and southern culinary delicacy a real treat. The food is absolutely delicious and the conversation during the meal was just as enjoyable.
The home is a living history of the old south and has been lovingly restored to period standards. The big front porch and large entrance with the beautiful staircases reflect the plantation style homes that were prevalent in the mid 1800’s. The home is exquisitely decorated with very interesting pieces from all over the world and Bruce has a story behind each of them which too is very interesting. The grounds are lovingly manicured and tended and no matter what time of the year are beautiful. I could only imagine how beautiful Bloomsbury would be in the spring when the azaleas are blooming.
The specific history of this home is rich. Mary Chestnut wrote parts of her diary in this home which links this home to the Pulitzer Prize winning works of this amazing lady. One can picture the confederate officers and ladies in antebellum dress drinking mint juleps on the front porch and Mary sitting in the study writing her memoirs.
Finally the town is Camden is a beautiful and historically rich place to visit. There is much Civil War history as well as the site of the famous Battle of Camden. There are many sites and interesting things to visit in this town. Bloomsbury seems to bring all of this history to life.
Kim and I certainly enjoyed our stay at Bloomsbury and will be back. We highly recommend you visit Bruce and Katherine. Five stars from us.

Baked French Toast

Baked French Toast...it has taken just five years to move this recipe from the casserole dish to the ramekins...oh, what a beautiful difference in presentation. It happened by accident. One morning we had a smaller group, day-old bread and...
8-24 hours before baking, mix well:
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk or cream
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
to the liquid mix, add:
add 3-4 cups torn-up bread (fill to top of liquid)
softer types of bread are best...day-old croissants (right, who has croissants left over), HI bread...but, do not shy away even if you use sliced white or wheat bread or even a big mix of breads. No, I do not remove crusts. Place in refrigerator to rest...soak up the liquid. Stir at least once to ensure all the bread is getting soaked.
blueberries (or, peaches or apples)
butter
baking spray

Place the oven on 375 degrees. Spray individual ramekins with baking spray. Place a few blueberries in the bottom of the ramekin. Fill the ramekin to the rim with the mixture. Place a dot of butter on top of each. Bake until risen and golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Top with a dollop of whipping cream and a little of the same fresh fruit that is in the bottom of the dish...serve hot with warm maple syrup...be prepared to say thank you, thank you so much as everyone raves about your wonderful Baked French Toast.