Thursday River View Farm Doors part 2, #thursdaydoors
I am adding upon my recent post on doors from nearby River View Farm here in Albemarle County. River View Farm is historic as it represents a thriving farm owned by an African American family who helped grow their community beginning in the late 1800's. Mary Carr Greer was an educator and later a principal at the only Albemarle County post-elementary school for black students during segregation. She passionately encouraged her students to continue their educations and after her death in 1973 a local school was named for her, Mary Carr Greer Elementary. Mary's husband Conly, Albemarle's first African American agricultural extension agent, taught local farmers current and science based farming practices and built his own homestead barn based on USDA plans.
The Carr/Hawkins/Greer homestead is an example of an I- home. I-homes, also known as 'farmers mansions', represented economic success in the farming community. The term I- house was coined by a Louisisana State University geographer who saw this building trend common in, but not limited to, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, all states beginning with the letter I. I homes are at least two rooms wide and one room deep and two complete stories with a central hallway running front to back. Many times these homes have ells added on for extra space and the Carr/Hawkins/Greer home had the same. The front facade appears symmetrical. In my first photo below, you can see the front porch is supported with extra beams as the property continues to be renovated.
Carr Hawkins Greer home
back door
side door
missing door on the ell
cellar door
ell door
three bay garage
My intention is to represent the doors appropriately based on my visit and the online grids I studied and I apologize if I've misinterpreted any detail. Thank you Dan for hosting our weekly Thursday Doors gathering, I'm headed your way to see what the other doornatics are sharing today. Until next time...🚪
It’s a lovely house, with a great history. Thanks for sharing the story behind the house and its details. I’m sending this to my brother (who was a history teacher in Iowa).
Love the history here and glad this was added to the National Register of Historic Places – and the doors show so much of the different function of doors and styles – really interesting
And they were very true to the green theme. I hope someday soon this building can be toured. From the very little I could see through the windows much needs to be done. The focus at present seems to be simply fortifying the structures. Thanks for visiting, Yvette.
Thoughts Of An E'ville Woman 
As someone who lives in an I-state (Indiana), I found this especially interesting. Good doors, good history — thanks!
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Thank you for adding this! Now you’ll need to look this particular design. I found it interesting as well.
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So much history behind this door. Thank you for sharing.
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I’ve enjoyed learning about this family and their farm.
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An inspiring story to go along with the doors.
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Thanks for reading me today and commenting.
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It’s a lovely house, with a great history. Thanks for sharing the story behind the house and its details. I’m sending this to my brother (who was a history teacher in Iowa).
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Excellent! I learned quite a bit myself researching this house and family. I hope your brother discovers a nugget, too.
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That’s such a handsome house. And I always love green doors! (K)
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It is a festive green
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Love the history here and glad this was added to the National Register of Historic Places – and the doors show so much of the different function of doors and styles – really interesting
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And they were very true to the green theme. I hope someday soon this building can be toured. From the very little I could see through the windows much needs to be done. The focus at present seems to be simply fortifying the structures. Thanks for visiting, Yvette.
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glad to connect
xxx🙂
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Nice bit of history with those doors! Thank-you.
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Thank you, Josie
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