The Dogwood at Weaver Castle

The dogwood at Weaver Castle was turning from tender green 

to glowing white last week on Lauderdale Street. The Gothic residence

 was built by William Weaver in 1868 and is said to be inspired

 from a castle on the Rhine River 

The house's bricks were made from an on-site kiln, and its magnificent

 woodwork and flooring are from trees cut in Weaver's Grove.

 Weaver Castle has been undergoing extensive renovation

 for the past several years and is privately owned.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Shadow Trio

A  trio of shadows stretch across the hardwood floor of Weaver Castle

 where new owners are renovating the 1868 Gothic mansion. 

The house where renowned Selma artist Clara Weaver Parrish grew up

 was featured on this weekend's Selma Pilgrimage. 

Posted at Shadow Shot Sunday

Weekend Reflections, The Windows of Weaver Castle

Which window do you like best?

These mirrored windows belong to Weaver Castle,

an 1868 Gothic Revival mansion that was designed

by the famous architect Richard Upjohn.

Upjohn also designed New York City's Trinity Church.

The home was built after the Civil War 

by Confederate Army Lieutenant William Weaver,

who was the father of artist Clara Weaver Parrish,

a designer of stained glass for New York's Tiffany & Co.  

Best of all, if you want to see what's behind the windows,

join us for the Historic Selma Pilgrimage March 16 and 17.

The home, said to be similar to a castle on the Rhine River,

was purchased last spring by a Wisconsin ranching couple

who are restoring it for their southern retreat.

Read more about this house at the Selma Pilgrimage website. 

Posted for Weekend Reflections

"Iced" Castle

Weaver Castle had a coating of white yesterday as the great "Southeast Snowstorm of 2010" was kind enough to give photographers here a little different subject for a change!

This 1868 Gothic-style home was built by the son of one of Selma's founders and is believed to have been designed from a castle on the Rhine in Germany.

Thanks to guest photographer Christine Weerts for sending this photo.

Mirror, Mirror (Skywatch Friday)

Mirrowed windows at Weaver Castle reflect blue skies above Selma.

The "castle," according to its website, "is of significant architectural Gothic design, was completed in 1868 and is located in the Old Town historic district of Selma, Alabama. Weaver Castle was built by William M. Weaver, a prominent Selma landowner, whose father was one of Selma's founders. It is believed that architect Richard Michel Upjohn designed it from a castle on the Rhine in Germany. Well known in architectural circles in New York, he also designed the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church here in Selma . Situated on the highest spot in Selma, Weaver Castle is located in the northern corner of what was Weavers Grove. All the materials to make Weaver Castle were from the property. Sand bricks were kilned and the woodwork is made from walnut, oak, and pine. The front entrance and ballroom feature parquetry floors. It is said that during the Civil War that gold was buried on the site of the Weaver Castle. It is also believed that the castle is haunted. There is music playing, people talking, and a light in the attic where there is no electricity."

For more skywatching, click HERE.

Weaver Castle

Speaking of preserving old buildings, here is Weaver Castle, an 1868 structure that a nonprofit group is trying to purchase and renovate. It was built by the son of one of Selma's founders and designed by Richard Upjohn who modeled it after a castle on the Rhine in Germany. The architect, famous for his Gothic Revival style, also designed Selma's St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Trinity Church in New York City. The Weaver Castle group plans to use the home for a bed and breakfast, museum, special events and local history education.