Thornwald Mansion

Emmi Burke

Professor Bomboy

HACC Humanities

25 September 2015

Thornwald Mansion

The Greek Classical period has forever left a mark on the modern architecture around all of us. Located in Carlisle, PA the Thornwald Mansion is a clear example of how Greek architecture is used in later buildings. The order of architecture the building most closely relates to is the Doric order which is simple and severe (Fiero 123). Later artists such as Andrea Palladio have left a great influence on the architecture and design of this building (“Thornwald Mansion.”). The use of Classical design in this building demonstrated without a doubt that Greek architecture inspired and played an important part in the making of this building. This can be seen through the classical order chosen for this building, the message that the building conveys and effect that the building has and lastly, the way that this building was once used and is currently being used.

            Thornwald Mansion best compares to the Doric order. This order is the simplest, the top, also known as the crown is made up of a circle that is topped with a square. The shaft is the tall part of the column and it is made up of twenty plain sides. In the Doric order, no base is present. Thus, it symbolizes power. In most Doric order, there is the area above the column called the frieze. The frieze usually has simple patterns. The metopes are plain, simple sections between the triglyphs. Triglyphs are a pattern of three vertical lines found between the metopes (Doric). The classical order Doric is best for this building because of the power and greatness that it portrays through the appearance and architecture of the building.

            The Thornwald Mansion was once the home of Lewis Sadler (Thornwald Mansion). Lewis Salder was the brains behind the construction of the Mansion. Lewis Sadler’s construction of the Palladian Villa, is on a wooden tract off along Walnut Bottom Road. Lewis’s brother, Sylvester, moved in with Lewis and his wife. This allowed Sylvester to continue practicing his Law and live close to Dickinson College (Dickinson). The Mansion’s dining room was also once used for hosting politicians with high power and people with great importance (Thornwald Mansion, Old Warehouse).

            Just by looking at the Mansion, a message of power and richness is received. A Doric column is much thicker and heavier than an Ionic or Corinthian column. For this reason, the Doric column is sometimes associated with strength and masculinity. Believing that Doric columns could bear the most weight, ancient builders often used them for the lowest level of multi-story buildings, reserving the more slender Ionic and Corinthian columns for the upper levels (Craven). This was definitely true when it came to the Mansion. The Mansion’s columns not only give me a sense of might and strength but also importance and impressiveness.

            When I walked up to the Mansion, I was first struck by the grandeur of the building. When you walk, bike, or drive up to the Mansion, one cannot help but notice how stately the Mansion is. The size of the Mansion tells me that this was once, and very well still is of great importance. The columns created a canopy to the front of the building further validating the statement of importance. Even more so than that, the building has columns on the back and front of the building. The canopy created makes a perfect place for limos, and other privileged guests to pull up while being sheltered from the elements. Through photos other people have taken different events and people being dropped off under the canopy. Not only was the Mansion clean, well-kept and neat, there were gates surrounding the Mansion. This leads me to believe that although this is an important place with such ability to be a resource for those high up in power, that it was also a place where private meetings and events took place. In order to get to the front of the Mansion, I had to go through the main gate with ornate design, this set the mood for the Mansion.  That it is a place of seriousness, wealth, and class.

            The Doric order of Classical Greek Architecture not only was important to the time when it was built but, also through the use of the building today. Although the Mansion was set on fire and most of it was destroyed causing major damage, millions of dollars was spent on reconstruction, the columns and many crucial details were restored. Through the ability to reconstruct and completely renovate the inside and outside of the building, it is now able to be used as a local place to stay. Those who are coming from out of town, who are looking for a weekend getaway, and people who are also interested in using the Thornwald Mansion as the location of an event are able to rent out parts of the Mansion (Thornwald Mansion).

            Later architects have had a great influence on the structure and architecture on the Mansion. Andrea Palladio created carefully proportioned, pedimented buildings that became models for stately homes and government buildings in Europe and America (Craven). Palladio’s work later became known as Palladianism and was accorded the greatest priority to maintaining symmetry, perspective and overall harmony, in the manner of Greco-Roman temple architecture (Andrea Palladio). Symmetry is a main aspect in the Mansion, looking at it from the front, the columns, windows, and building itself are symmetric. This was just one of the ways that Andrea Palladio influenced the architecture of the Mansion.

            Greek Classical Architecture is all around and ever present. The Thornwald Mansion is most closely related to the Doric order of architecture. Through the classical order, what the building conveys, how a person portrays the building, and how the Doric style reflects the buildings use a person is able to tell that the Thornwald Mansion is not only just a beautiful building but a place of historical importance, strength, and power.

Works Cited

“Andrea Palladio (1508-89).” Andrea Palladio: Biography of Renaissance Architect. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.

Craven, Jackie. “Andrea Palladio Biography - Renaissance Architects.” About Home.  Web. 25 Sept. 2015.

Craven, Jackie. “Definition of Doric Column - Architecture Glossary.” About Home. Web. 25 Sept. 2015

Dickinson College Archives. “Sylvester Baker Sadler (1876-1931).” Sylvester Baker Sadler (1876-1931). N.p., 2005. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

“Doric.” Classical Orders of Architecture. Bruce R. Schulman. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.

Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015. Print.

“Thornwald Mansion.” Bedandbreakfast.com. Web. 24. 2015.

“Thornwald Mansion, Old Warehouse.” - Abandoned Places. N.p., 9 May 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

 “Thornwald Mansion.” Thornwald Mansion. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.