Widow House, Chapel Hill NC, 1790 Vintage Photograph

This vintage photograph showcases the Widow House, an architectural landmark located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, specifically in Orange County. Constructed in 1790, this historic building is notable for its distinctive chimneys and surrounding shrubs, reflecting the design aesthetics of its time. The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which documents significant structures throughout the region.

Frances Benjamin Johnston, the photographer, captured this image as part of her extensive work on southern architecture. Her meticulous attention to detail highlights the historical significance of the Widow House as a representation of early American domestic architecture. This photograph serves as a valuable record of the cultural and architectural heritage of North Carolina.

Acquired from the Frances Benjamin Johnston estate in 1953, this photograph is an important contribution to the Library of Congresss collection. It offers a glimpse into the past, appealing to historians, architecture enthusiasts, and collectors alike.