1953 Vintage Photo of Green Mountain, Virginia Heritage

This vintage photograph from 1953 showcases the architectural heritage of Green Mountain in Albemarle County, Virginia. Taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston, notable for her documentation of Southern architecture, the image features a structure built in 1850 that serves as a testament to the regions history and craftsmanship. The buildings significance is underscored by its connection to the Coles family, who utilized the hunting lodge of John Coles II after their original mansion was destroyed by fire in 1839.

The photograph is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, an initiative aimed at cataloging and preserving the Souths architectural legacy. Johnstons work captures not just the physical attributes of the building, but also the surrounding gardens, offering insights into the landscape aesthetics of the time.

This image represents an important chapter in Virginias architectural narrative, appealing to historians, collectors, and enthusiasts of vintage photography. The Carnegie Survey continues to serve as a vital resource for understanding the architectural evolution in the Southern United States.