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The Architecture of Avoca |
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The National Historic Register describes the house as a two-story dipped brick construction with sandstone foundation, lovely window lintels, eyebrow windows in the attic and from the outside presents an unpretentious yet striking resemblance to the Brown’s flamboyant abode at 1340 Pennsylvania Avenue. There are three corbelled brick chimneys and several "dragon back" crowns. The foundation, sills, lintels and porch supports are cut Lyons, Colorado sandstone.
A frame porch with triple columns at the entryway and a Chinoiserie patterned rail extends around two sides of the house. The West facade has a gable roof above the porch steps topped with a hip finial (ball in crown). Two standard parlors grace the main floor of the house, and the front parlor has an impressive fireplace that Molly replicated from the home on Pennsylvania Avenue. The tile hearth and frame are exquisite, with a majestic oak hearth and mirror framed by golden oak pillars supporting the mantel. The fireplace is framed by blue ceramic tiles.
The interior is separated into four high-ceilinged rooms, the front room with fireplace and built-in glass front bookcase, the living room with bay window and fireplace, the dining room with fireplace and the kitchen. Floors are hardwood and the woodwork, doors, staircase and balustrade are oak which has been "grained". The second story contains four bedrooms and is built over the front and living rooms. Electricity, plumbing and heating systems were added to the original structure in the 1940s. Light fixtures were also added at that time. The Molly Brown Summer House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
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This horsehead fixture was found by Mary Rose under the south stairs while digging in the garden. It is thought to be a hitching post.
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