The Historical Society of Western Virginia has released its latest regional history offering: Nineteenth-Century Brick Architecture in the Roanoke Valley and Beyond: Discovering the True Legacies of the Deyerle Builders by Michael J. Pulice, Kegley Publications of the Historical Society of Western Virginia, 188 pages, .
The Deyerle Builders is the culmination of ten years of research and writing by architectural historian, Michael Pulice. Mr. Pulice currently works for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Western Regional Office and is a renowned brick expert. Not only does Pulice identify buildings and houses that were built by the Deyerles, he finally lays to rest which generation should be credited with specific structures. According to Gray, In setting the stage for his analysis of their work in bricks and mortar, the author sketches the cast of characters, with emphasis on the Deyerle builders, in neat monographs, fleshing out each of these craftsmen and their families with obvious affection, drawing from anecdote and many original sources.
In addition to telling the story of this remarkable family of builders and architects, Pulice also provides a lesson in masonry and brick-making that is a valuable resource for researchers, educators, architects and history enthusiasts. Again from Gray, in his quest for the Deyerles True Legacies, Pulice explores the arcane, finer points of 19th-century antebellum construction in brick. A slim chapter, Brick Masonry, covers all aspects of how bricks were produced before mechanization, and relates that technology to early construction techniques. This section is “the mortar which holds together the bricks” that make True Legacies such a valuable resource.
The book is available for purchase at the History Museum of Western Virginia and the O’ Winston Link Museum. It can also be purchased online at www.vahistorymuseum.org
For a limited time Kegley Publications is offering a special discount when you purchase three of our books Nineteenth-Century Brick Architecture in the Roanoke Valley and Beyond: Discovering the True Legacies of the Deyerle Builders ($35), Edward Beyers Travels Through America ($35), and Architectural History of the Roanoke Valley ($20) at a 15% discount.
For more information or to purchase please call 540.342.5770 or email [email protected]