dennyho

Thursday John Mercer Brooke Doors #thursday doors

In early spring, I had a surprise visit from a special girlfriend who has returned to good ole Virginia. For this I am thrilled. She showed up unannounced on a random weekday when both Mr. E’ville and I were working in the yard. You know how you look at someone and for a spit second, because of disbelief or some other mental emotion, you cannot register the moment? This is how it was for me, but I quickly recovered, and we were in each other’s arms and delighted for our reunion. She had mere minutes to visit on that particular day due to other errands in our area. Of course, a road trip I quickly planned.

And guess what? She has DOORS! Here are a few I met that day.

This is the home where my dear friends live which is located at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. This area, like Charlottesville, is brimming with historical buildings, battle sites, important people, and another military instillation right next door, (Washington & Lee University.)

old fashioned swinging kitchen door

These double doors allow for warm, fragrant spring breezes to fill the rooms…and greet pusspuss while he explores his new space.

a very old basement door leading outside
missing lock from another era

As my title suggests, this home is the original home of John Mercer Brooke who was a physics and astronomy professor at VMI from 1865 through 1898. This cottage was constructed in 1870 and was designed by Brooke himself who also designed other Lexington homes. Brooke was a notable American naval officer known for his part in re-designing the confederate ship USS Merrimack into the CSS Virginia and also his design of the Brooke rifle, a powerful cannon used in the southern army. This home, in the hands of my talented girlfriend, is beautifully decorated while it still maintains much of its historic charm.

I am grateful for my day visit with Miss JMR and I must plan another visit soon. I originally wrote this in April directly following my Lexington trip but for some reason, I never shared. Cheers to a surprise Thursday Doors post waiting patiently for me to retrieve! If you’d like to see what other door lovers from across the globe are sharing today, visit Dan of No Facilities and his Thursday Doors Challenge. Until next time…🚪

11 comments

  2. I can imagine your surprise by your friend’s unanounced visit, E’ville. I love the doors of the home of John Mercer Brooke. I would open the double doors open to the balcony every day to sit and watch people on the street. Thank you for stopping by my blog. I followed you and will look for your doors.

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  3. I love old-friend reunions, especially the unexpected ones. 😍
    My imagination is running away with me here.
    “Oh… let me see the kitchen. I’d love to go down to the basement… but not alone!”
    What is it about doors that intrigue us? For me, I think it’s the wonderment of where the door leads. Maybe it reminds me of childhood adventures, especially when we explored old buildings. The excitement at not knowing where we were going or what we were going to find.

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