Robert Bruce Barbour House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Casa Feliz Historic Home
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Winter Park, Florida, USA |
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| Built | 1932 |
| Architect | James Gamble Rogers II |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001244 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 2008 |
Casa Feliz means "Happy House" in Spanish. This special house was designed by a famous architect named James Gamble Rogers II. It was first called the Barbour Estate. This farmhouse is built in the Andalusian style, which comes from Spain. It has been very important to the look and feel of the Winter Park community. Many people think it is one of Rogers' best houses in Florida.
In the year 2000, the city of Winter Park moved the house to save it from being torn down. It is now located at 656 Park Avenue North in Winter Park. On December 31, 2008, Casa Feliz was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. This means it is a very important historical building.
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History of Casa Feliz
In 1932, a man named Robert Barbour asked James Rogers to design a home for him. Mr. Barbour owned a company that made chemical dyes. The house was finished in 1933.
The Barbour family often held parties and events at their home. They even hosted the yearly party for the Spanish Institute of Florida. Because of these fun gatherings, the house became known as Casa Feliz in the 1960s. In 1951, the Barbour family sold the property. Then, in 2000, the City of Winter Park bought the building.
Design and Style
Rogers designed Casa Feliz to be a very welcoming home. It has large rooms where people can gather. The living room opens up to a garden on one side and a courtyard on the other. The dining room also connects to this courtyard.
Along the garden side, there is an arched loggia. This is like a covered walkway with arches. It connects the living room, the main entrance, and the library. The house also has an arched porte cochere, which is a covered entrance where cars can drive through.
Inside Casa Feliz
The inside of Casa Feliz has been made to look just like it did when it was first built. The living room has a high, arched ceiling with big, hand-carved wooden beams. The main areas for visitors are the living room, dining room, and library. There are also courtyards and a separate garden room, which used to be the garage.
James Gamble Rogers II added many special touches to the house. These include the courtyard with colorful maiolica tiles and a fountain. There are also arched doorways and a round staircase.
Outside Casa Feliz
The outside of Casa Feliz and its grounds are also very special. The roof has original Spanish tiles. The walls are made of whitewashed bricks. There is a small tower called a turret and a bell tower. A heavy wooden balcony adds to its charm.
The outdoor areas have beautiful plants and trees. There are lush gardens, courtyards, and large oak trees. Native plants are grown in clay amphoras, which are large pots.
Moving the House
The house was first built at 656 North Interlachen Avenue. It was next to one of Winter Park's lakes. The garden side of the house faced the lake. It stayed there for about seventy years.
In 2000, the person who owned the house at that time started to tear it down. To save this historic building, the City of Winter Park bought it. They then moved it about 900 feet to land owned by the city.
Casa Feliz Historic House Museum
Today, Casa Feliz is a historic house museum. It has a special display that teaches visitors about the life and work of architect James Gamble Rogers II. The entire property has been restored to look like it did in the 1930s.
Casa Feliz is also a popular place for weddings and other events in Winter Park and Orlando.
