Monday, August 20, 2007

Up the Spiral Staircase

This spiral staircase serves as a fire escape at the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum. The antebellum building has been used for many purposes: schools, courthouse, hospital. It was a hospital until 1960, so many Selmians were born here. Our tour guide noted that the steps lead to a big window on the third floor where the newborn nursery was located. Since small children weren't allowed to visit, she said that sometimes the children were led up the spiral steps to view their new baby brother or sister through the window. How exciting that must have been!

7 comments:

Ioanna said...

Nice building, nice story!!

Annie said...

What a clever way to add a safety feature without destroying the integrity of the building.

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hi,
This is a photo 'of my heart' or in other words ' a lovely photo!'

Is this buildin so expensive in use? I am asking this because it has have so many owners....

Bye you're welcome to visit my blog
:) JoAnn

JaamZIN said...

I love this composition!

travelphilippines said...

very nice building...so elegante

Janet said...

Thanks for visiting.
Joann, I imagine this building is expensive to heat and cool because of its size and high ceilings. But its maintenance should be less expensive than wooden structures which have to be painted from time to time.

Gwen said...

thanks for welcoming me, nice photo...the spiral staircase reminds me of the one where i live, not as grand...mine is hazardous in the turns.