A Fort Comes Full-Circle

It's hard to imagine that  two and a half ago I was in Texas stressing-out over completing my Final Study project for my Master's Degree.  I highlighted the project here and here, but I didn't specify where the building was located mainly because it was still an active military base slated for closure.  Well today the nation's oldest continuously operating military base, Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, is being decommissioned by the Army and is open to the public for the first time since its creation in 1819.

What is so amazing about this location is that since it was a military base, it remained untouched by developers who grabbed almost all of the waterfront property in Hampton Roads.  So not only does it have an incredible sampling of two centuries of architectural styles (plus a MOAT!), but the waterfront views are absolutely astounding.  

photo court. of Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort via flickr 

The redevelopment authority for Fort Monroe has strict preservation and development standards in place as to prevent developers from going crazy over this property - and there's also a local movement to have the Fort made a National Park, so the views are safe for the moment.   If you are in Hampton Roads Virginia, be sure to take advantage of being able to visit this incredible treasure and all it has to offer.  And be sure to check out the one piece of Fort Monroe that is near and dear to my heart: Building 57 (aka, the motor Pool)

Which I proposed go from looking like this:

to this: 

and this:

Here's hoping that whoever redevelops this building uses it for something other than parking (which is the currently listed "best redevelopment use" for this building... a total cop-out if you ask me).  The 8 foot tall casement windows that span the length of the building still make me knees weak.

Happy decommissioning day to Fort Monroe and here's looking forward to an incredibly successful future!

Helplessly Abroad

hurricane ladies print - a TD fave I find quite appropriate for right now.

It's one thing when you're in another state and you see your hometown (and your parents and your dog!) being threatened by a behemoth hurricane.  It's another when you're on the other side of the Atlantic.  In between calling home every 3 hours and constantly refreshing weather.com, it's impossible not to feel hopeless.  That plus the sis having just moved to New York City, and immediate family on Long Island and New Jersey and you've got a whole world of worry.  We've been through  hurricanes a plenty while growing up (all which thankfully took a last minute jog to the east, sparing Hampton Roads) but everyone I've talked to has seemed genuinely concerned that Irene could actually be "the one" that finally hits the east coast.  Between the earthquake (yeah, what again?) and this, the east coast could definitely use a break.  So here's hoping and praying that Irene chills out and heads to sea, leaving the east coast free from her wrath.  Then everyone can treat themselves to a "hurricane," and the worst thing they have to deal with is a the wreckage of a hangover the next day.  So  keep the east coast in your prayer and here's hoping for an uneventful weekend!