Historic House Tour: The Alders

The Alders is one of Norfolk’s grandest estates. Built in 1898 to a design by Ehrick Rossiter, who also designed the Yale Norfolk Music Shed and the tower on Haystack Mountain, the Alders features stunning architectural details including intricate cherry woodwork, majestic Moorish arches, 20 stained glass windows, unique tile and wood fireplace mantels and many more period details. Take a virtual tour of this grand estate and learn about Charles Spofford, the wealthy New Yorker who commissioned Rossiter to build the Alders and brought Gilded Age opulence to Norfolk. Spofford was the son of the country’s sixth Librarian of Congress and played a key role in the industrial revolution as a railroad magnate. He also founded companies with Thomas Edison to bring public transportation and electricity to towns and cities across the United States.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@michaelmullin3585]

Wonderful!

[@billhosley]

Spectacular

[@seattlebeard]

"Oh Vicky, it's adorable."

[@bethbartlett5692]

There's so much "Wood used in the Structure" of USA Historic Homes, it is a challenge to maintain those, other than Cypress, (trees found in the Delta and Swamps that repeal insects and is a very durable hardwood) often used in the Plantation Homes of the Deep South. If I were to invest in the building if a Grand House, I would seek Stone Masons and/or use Concrete, as Frank Lloyd Wright did in his famous work in Low Angeles. All that we have from the very Ancient Times are those ruins/remains of Stone Structures. Investing in the ground preparation for basement and depth for the bedrock surface would also be a required effort. These remain worthy natural storage and shelter spaces that conserve energy and costs.

[@eleanorturner4651]

How many bedrooms?? and let's see the Kitchen!!

[@sps4075]

Mashallah

[@basehead617]

It looks like some owner redid the exterior in stucco, like the person who destroyed Rossiter's Rock Gate in Washington. Thankfully a subsequent owner restored it to its original condition - you have a picture of the restored Rock Gate at 2:08. It looks like this could use the same. Or is this really the original exterior?

[@weekendinnorfolk5669]

Hi, sorry for the delayed response. The current owners had this to say: "Thank you for your comment and interest. It's difficult to tell what the original exterior of the estate was from the early photos of the property, but we believe the stucco was added in the early 1900s."

[@basehead617]

@@weekendinnorfolk5669 thanks so much!

[@fayecarrigg2250]

Beautiful!!! Is it still for sale??

[@weekendinnorfolk5669]

No, it was sold at the end of the year to a couple who will keep it as an inn.