Art Gallery Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Art Gallery Building
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 156 S. Washington St., Constantine, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1877 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Part of | Constantine Historic Commercial District (ID85002444) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004070 |
| Added to NRHP | May 9, 1980 |
The Art Gallery Building is a special old building located at 156 South Washington Street in Constantine, Michigan. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 because of its unique design. This building is famous for its fancy cast iron front, especially the top part, which is called Italianate style. It's the only building like it in Constantine and maybe even in the whole area!
Contents
Discovering the Building's Past
When Was the Art Gallery Building Built?
The Art Gallery Building was built a long time ago, in 1877. A man named George I. Crossett had it built. He wanted the first floor to be his drug store, called Crossett Drug Store.
What Was on the Second Floor?
The second floor of the building was used for a photographic studio. This is why the building got its name, the "Art Gallery Building." Many different photographers used this space over the years, until the 1920s.
Who Used the Building Later?
After the drug store, other pharmacies used the first floor until the 1960s. In 1970, a small fire damaged some parts of the lower floor.
Exploring the Building's Look
What Does the Art Gallery Building Look Like?
The Art Gallery Building is a two-story building. It is made of red brick and has a narrow front. Its style is called Italianate, which means it has a classic, fancy look. The roof slopes gently towards the back. The building is right next to a small alleyway.
What Makes the Front Special?
The most special part of the building is its cast iron front. This is a type of metal that was shaped to look very decorative. It has round-top windows that look like an arcade. Above these windows, there's a fancy iron ledge called a cornice. In the middle of this cornice, you can see the building's name and the year it was built. On top of the cornice, there are decorative urns with ball shapes on them.
