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28
RAKING CORNICE
CORNICE
FREIZE
ELEVATION • NORTH PORTICO • HAMPTON MANSION
Architectural details of the North Portico door and windows. Courtesy ofBrowne, Worratt & Johnson, Inc.,
Architects.
The exterior window treatment of the first two stories is quite simple with the excep-
tion of those in the porticoes. The portico windows are detailed with complete entabla-
tures, or architectural treatments, including important classical elements: architraves,
friezes and cornices. The windows were protected in some areas by louvered shutters on
the exterior, and all windows on the first and second story have recessed interior shut-
ters which fold out for additional protection and to control light and heat in the house.
All windows and doors have wooden or iron bars on the interior for securing the house
at night or while the family was away.
interior
The house was built on a massive scale with large public rooms in the first story of
the main block. Captain Charles Ridgely evidently intended to do a lot of entertaining
and he wanted to do it in impressive style. Designed for these social activities, the first
story includes a large central receiving area and a pair of rooms on each side.
Unlike many five-part Georgian houses, Hampton's main staircase is not located in the
central hall but is placed on the east side between two smaller parlours, out of the way
of the reception area.
The staircase was originally highlighted by a large moulded archway supported by
engaged fluted columns which connected the stairs to the central receiving area. The
arch was filled in with plaster walls and a doorway before 1800 to provide a practical so-
lution for conserving heat in a very large house with only fireplaces and woodburning
stoves. When not used for entertaining, the central and west side of the house could be
isolated from the two smaller east side parlours and the bedchambers above, which were
the family living quarters.
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