Childs Sports Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sports Building
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Windrow Rd., Norfolk, Connecticut |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Taylor & Levi |
| Architectural style | Medieval Revival |
| MPS | Taylor, Alfredo S. G., TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001088 |
| Added to NRHP | February 22, 1984 |
The Childs Sports Building is a cool old building in Norfolk, Connecticut. It was built in 1930 and looks a bit like a medieval castle! This special building was designed by an architect named Alfredo S.G. Taylor. It's so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It was originally a private place for sports and fun.
Contents
Discovering the Childs Sports Building
Where is the Building?
The Childs Sports Building is found in a quiet, green area of Norfolk. It's on Windrow Road, not far from Gamefield Road. This land used to be a big country estate owned by the Childs family.
What Makes it Special?
This building is made of strong, rough stones, almost like a fortress! It has a unique roof with "clipped gables," which means the ends are cut short. The building is mostly rectangular, but it has a cool round tower, called a turret, on one corner. This turret has a pointy, cone-shaped roof.
Inside, the building uses huge wooden beams. These timbers and the rough wooden walls actually came from old barns! It's like the building is recycling history.
What Can You Do Inside?
The main floor of the building has special courts for playing different sports. You could play squash, badminton, and a game called fives. There were also changing rooms for both men and women. Upstairs, there was a "trophy hall" to show off awards and a room for playing billiards.
Who Designed This Unique Building?
The Childs Sports Building was built in 1930. It was designed by an architect named Alfredo S.G. Taylor. He was from New York City.
Taylor's Special Style
Alfredo S.G. Taylor spent many summers in Norfolk. He designed more than 30 buildings in the area! Many of his buildings, like the Sports Building, have a "medieval" look. This means they use rough stone and wood, and heavy slate roofs. These features make his buildings look old and rustic, like something from a storybook.
Other Buildings by Taylor
Details about the Childs Sports Building were even shared in a magazine called American Architect and Building News after it was built. Taylor also designed other interesting places for the Childs family. These include the Starling Childs Camp on Doolittle Lake and the tiny Tom Thumb House.
