Catherine
Louis-Charles
Professor
Bomboy
Modern
Culture and the Arts
September
17, 2017
A gem from antiquity in Carlisle
Carlisle
Pennsylvania may be a far cry from being a booming city or a Greek metropolis,
but as one can see in the downtown section the architectural influences of the
classical Greek order are present in many governmental, religious and
educational buildings. Though many of the ancient Greek buildings have long
succumbed to the elements or destroyed due to humans wants, its legacy lives
on and can be seen all over the world. “The classical conception of beauty has
had a profound influence on Western cultural expression” (Fiero 114). It is
evident the ancient Greek building styles have a long reach across the world. One
of the apparent use of the classical orders is found on the entrance of the
east wing of the Bosler Memorial library.
The Library is
located on High street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. As the name states, it is still
a functioning library presently. The whole library was renovated in 2015 to
maintain its longevity, it’s current function and the legacy of J. Herman
Bosler, who was a prominent businessman in Carlisle. The building was
designed by a well-known Victorian architect name E. Francis Baldwin. “Baldwin
is known as an architect of more than 50 stations of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, as well as dozens of churches and other structures for the catholic
church” (Lear). Baldwin designed the library in a colonial style and enhanced
the entrance with the façade from the Ionic order, which is one of the architectural
designs established by the ancient Greeks. “The exterior with its pediment,
columns, and symmetry, seems to reference classical design” (Lear14).
At first glance of
the front of the building, one can note that the ionic order was well
executed. Standing on the street in
front of the building the four ionic columns stands remarkably majestic amidst
all the colonial buildings. The ionic columns at the entrance are typically slender.
“The ionic order has a base of the Asiatic or Attic type (the latter being
favored by the Romans) and the shaft is more slender in proportion than in the
Doric order” (Encyclopedia.com). The bases of each column contains two round
rings and each sit on a large square foundation called a stylobate. As the eyes is drawn up the columns, the
grooves and line (fillet and flute) that runs vertically along the shafts are
well define and proportioned correctly.
At the top of the
shafts is where the echinus’ accommodate the well carved four sided
volutes. The spiral shells on each side
gives a full symmetrical effect to the façade.
The Architrave is the structure that supports the frieze, the pediment,
and the cornice, that connects the four columns as it rests on the platform
which is called the abacus. The Frieze
which lays on top of the architrave doesn’t boast much as in adornments such as
seen in other similar buildings, it simply has the words “The J-Herman
Bosler-Memorial” carved on to it.
As the eyes travels
up the rest of the entablature the dentils are well defined and are carved not
only on the cornice board of the entablature but also along the edges of the
cornice board of the building and around the its pediment. The pediment of the
building is well put together with the detail carvings of architectural
adornments that has stand the test of time.
Though the
building is mostly colonial in style with its huge stained glass and vaulted ceiling,
the architect managed to flawlessly combined the two styles. Baldwin may have
decided to create a classical approach for the library from the railroad
stations he was accustom to designing. The building seems to convey a message
of its practicality of a library and of an architectural treasure. Without the Classical Greek order the
building would have appeared simple and blend in with everything else around
it. The ionic order enhances not only the entrance but the whole façade, making
the library stand out and be noticed. It’s
Greek entry way lends credence to its usefulness. We may never know why Baldwin
chose to incorporate the Classic Greek design into this specific project but
walking up the steps to the entrance, one can’t help but be impressed and a bit
amazed at the execution of his design. The building is well preserved and well
used. It will be around for generations to come.
Works Cited
Fiero, Gloria K. The
Humanistic Tradition. 7th ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hill,
2015. Print.
"Ionic Order." A Dictionary of
Architecture and Landscape Architecture. . Encyclopedia.com. 15
Sep. 2017 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
Lear, Bernadette. “In Search of
Pennsylvania Library History.” A railroad architect builds a library:
E. Francis Baldwin and the Bosler Memorial Library of Carlisle, 5 Mar.
2015, palibhist.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-railroad-architect-builds-library-e.html.
Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
