University of Kentucky, Patterson House, Lexington

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS KY,34-LEX,13B-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

For forty years this building served as the home of the first president of the University of Kentucky. PART I HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History 1. Original and subsequent owners: The Commonwealth of Kentucky 2. Date of erection: Began July 26, dedicated February 15, 3. Architect: H^ P. McDonald & Brothers, Louisville, Kentucky. Carpenters: F. Bush'& Sons, Lexington, Kentucky Plasterers: B. J. Campbell & Company Building Materials: G. P. Wilgus Painters, Glazers: Charles W- Foushee & Company Roofers: Witt & Brown, Cincinnati, Ohio Stone Work: John Heddman, Louisville, Kentucky (Archives of University of Kentucky)

Patterson House

Page 2 HABS Ho. About the Architect; Harry P. McDonald, senior member and founder of McDonald & Brothers, Architects, joined the Confederate Army in when he was sixteen years of age. Educated at Washington and Lee, he was a resident engineer on the construction of Elizabethtown and Paducah railroad. Afterward he founded the firm of McDonald & Brothers. Brother members at sometime or another were Kenneth and Donald. "Built a great many of important buildings in Kentucky." (History of Kentucky. VII, E. Polk Johnson, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, p. 4. Original plan, construction etc.: rooms, pantry storeroom and bathroom, (Lexington Transcript, February 15, 5.

Notes on alterations and additions: a) It was agreed to lower President Patterson's house (roof) with metal, minutes of Board of Trustees b) was appropriated for installation of furnace, minutes of Board of Trustees c) Funds appropriated to install bathroom on lower floor because of Patterson illness, minutes of Board of Trustees It is not certain if above alterations were carried out. d) Redecorated inside (painted, new curtains, etc.) in to be used as womens student recreation building.- e) Redecorated again for faculty club (one room as billiard and game room, etc.) in 6. Important old views: a) Front view, (because WPA project) Negative folder b) Front view Courier Journal c) photograph All in Archives University of Kentucky PATTERSON HOUSE Page 3 HABS No. B.

Historical Events Connected with the Structure: 1. First occupant, James K. Patterson, President of the University of Kentucky (Lexington Leader Walter K. Patterson, (Lexington Leader Women's Recreation Building, (Lexington Leader Faculty Club (Lexington Leader Office of the Dean for the College of Arts & Sciences (Archives of University of Kentucky) Prepared by: Clifford Curry Architectural Student under the direction of: Dr. James P. Noffsinger Associate Professor of Architecture The University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky January, PART II ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural character: Plan type representative of region* Sentimental value attached to this house at the University. 2.

Condition of fabric: Good; well maintained until recently and now abandoned and awaiting razing. B. Technical Description of Exterior: 1. Overall dimensions: approximately 60' x 2. Foundations: Stone 3. Wall construction: Brick 4. Chimneys: Two short stove pipe .imneys painted red. 5. Openings; PATTERSON HOUSE Page 4 HABS No, a) Doorways and doors: One off each side of front porch on northwest corner, one looks original paneled with two windows, the other a recent addition- A large main entrance on north side has been removed and filled in with plywood, brick arch over doorway. Paneled door into kitchen on southeast corner. b) Windows: Double hung wood sash, some have brick arch lintel. 6.

Roof: a) Shape and covering: Mansard roof over central part of house with gable extensions on each side. Shed roof over the porches of slate. b) Framing: Timber. c) Cornice eaves: Decorated facing board on eaves, cornice on gable on west side of house. d) Dormers: One on west side of attic, gable. 7. Porches :i Semihexagonal porch on northwest corner, concrete floor, shed roof supported by square wood columns. Porch on southeast corner, wood. Technical Description of Interiors: 1. Floor Plans: Two stories and unfinished attic; entrance hall on west side with spiral staircase and balcony.

Lower floor, large rooms on east and south side of entrance hall, hallway leads to kitchen onJsouth side of upper floor, 3 bedrooms off balcony and hallway leads to bathroom and bedroom on west end of house) stairway in hall to the attic. 2. Stairways: Stairway is spiral with 21 risers, recently carpeted, turned spindles. 3. Flooring: Hardwood flooring "natural," framing could not be determined. PATTERSON HOUSE Page 5 HABS No. 4. Wall and Ceiling Finish: Plastered walls and ceilings, painted. 5. Doorways and Doors: Paneled doors. 5. Trim: Wood trim with mouldings. 7. Hardware: Exterior hardware replaced by modern interior has porcelan knobs and skeleton key locks, not distinguished. 8. Lighting: Modern electric fixtures, exposed wiring. 9.

Heating: Originally fireplaces, steam radiators now in use. D. Site: 1. General Setting and Orientation: On University of Kentucky Campus grounds. Main front is located on northwest. 2. Enclosures: None. 3. Outbuildings: None. 4. Walks: Blacktop drive encircles house. 5. Landscaping: Simple not original. Prepared by: John K. Kingston Architectural Student under the' direction of: Dr. James P. Noffsinger Associate Professor of Architecture The University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky January,