Norvell House facts for kids
The Norvell House is a special building in Seattle, Washington. It was built way back in 1908 and is known for its unique Swiss chalet style of Architecture. This means it looks a bit like houses you might see in the mountains of Switzerland! The house is located in the Ballard area, near Sunset Hill. It still sits on its original large piece of land, surrounded by beautiful old trees, and even has its own small building next to it, called a carriage house. The Norvell House is so important that it has been named a Seattle Landmark.
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What Makes the Norvell House Special?
A Mix of Styles
The Norvell House is a cool mix of different building styles. It combines ideas from local, everyday buildings (called vernacular architecture) with many different design choices (called eclecticism). Inside, you can see lots of beautiful wood and fir floors. This shows how important the local lumber industry was in Seattle back then.
Inside the House
The inside of the house has many interesting design ideas from the early 1900s. You might see columns that look like old Greek or Roman buildings (this is called classical revival). There are also special trims and moldings in the American Craftsman style. Many windows have fancy beveled glass and colorful stained glass panels.
Outside the House
The outside of the Norvell House is just as interesting! It has many decorative brackets, small towers (called turrets), and balconies. The roof has large overhangs, which are parts that stick out. There's even a fun, flared tower on the front roof called a cupola. Some people think it looks a bit like the famous Zytglogge clock tower in Bern, Switzerland.
Swiss Chalet Style in Seattle
The Ballard community, where the Norvell House is located, was settled by many Norwegians. Because of this, some people thought the house's style might have been influenced by a special "Dragon Style" of architecture popular in Norway. This style often included carvings and fancy details inspired by old Stave churches. However, the Norvell House doesn't have these specific Norwegian designs. Instead, it's a great local example of the Swiss Chalet style that was popular at the time.
History of the Norvell House
Building a Home in 1908
This house is now more than 100 years old! It was built in 1908 for the manager of the Stimson Lumber Mill. The wood used to build it came right from the sawmill in Ballard.
The Norvell Family
The house gets its name from James and Hazel Norvell. They owned the house for the longest time, buying it in 1949. Back then, many families thought older houses like this were out-of-date. But the Norvells loved its unique style and decided to keep most of its original features. James Norvell passed away in 1986, and Hazel continued to live in the house until her death in 2005.
A Seattle Landmark
Because of its unique style and history, the Norvell House was officially named a Seattle Landmark on May 14, 1979. This means it's a protected building that is important to the city's history. In March 2012, a local contractor helped to repair and repaint the house, making sure its beautiful features were well-cared for.
Images for kids
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A closer look at the exterior windows
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A beautiful stained glass panel inside the house
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The large, overhanging eaves of the roof
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The decorative cupola on the roof
