Ernest George Washington Dietrich, named for the president with whom he shares a birthday, was born 166 years ago this February 22nd. It also marks the one year anniversary of launching this webpage and blog! It has been a busy year with ongoing research, site visits, and three presentations! I thought you might enjoy some of the highlights.
June 10, 2022 Visit to Belle Haven, CT
I had the pleasure not only of meeting Matt Bernard, author of the book Victorian Summer: The Historic Houses of Belle Haven Park, but also enjoying his VIP tour of beautiful Belle Haven, CT. It was a special treat to visit Dietrich’s house for William A. Parke (left) and Fred B. White’s house for Robert M. Bruce (right).
June 21, 2022 Presentation in Danbury, CT
I have long wanted to share my research on Dietrich with the Danbury community, home to Dietrich’s castle-like Hearthstone designed for the successful gilded-age portrait photographer E. Starr Sanford. It was a privilege to present at the Danbury Library and to have Dietrich’s great-granddaughter Janet Olszewski and her husband Ed as special guests. Click here to watch the video!
October 2022 Road Trip Part 1 - Ridgway, Kane and Warren, PA
On my way to Jamestown, NY, I visited several communities in northwestern Pennsylvania with Dietrich designed houses. It was a pleasure to meet the home owners, dive into research at local libraries and historical societies, and of course tour the homes!
October 15, 2022 Presentation at the Marvin House
The c. 1897 Robert and Elizabeth Warner Marvin house in Jamestown, NY is one of Dietrich’s most important designs. Upon her death in 1950, the Elizabeth Warner Marvin Community House was created as a gathering place for the women of Jamestown. Today, the shingle style house is remarkably well-preserved and is open for tours. The Marvin House and Chautauqua County Historical Society hosted my presentation about Dietrich’s designs in Jamestown. Click here to watch the
video!
October 2022 Road Trip Part 2 - Olean, NY and Scranton, PA
On my way home from Jamestown, I visited Dietrich homes in Olean, NY and Scranton, PA. Dietrich designed at least 30 homes in the Scranton area, so I will be back!
December 6, 2022 Presentation in Freeport, NY
Freeport, NY is special not only as the last community where E. G. W. Dietrich and his wife Estelle lived but also because Dietrich designed a new building here for his church congregation, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Freeport Memorial Library hosted this event.
December 2022 Visit to Queens, NY Churches
Toward the end of Dietrich’s career, he received commissions for several Lutheran churches including Grace Lutheran Church in Jamaica and Bethany Lutheran Church in Springfield Gardens (today Grace Moravian Church).
I am looking forward to another busy year and hope there will be many opportunities not only to continue my research on architect E. G. W. Dietrich but also to share it with all of you!
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