Thomas Hope (architect)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Hope was an English-born
American architect and house joiner
, active primarily in Knoxville, Tennessee
, during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Trained in London
, Hope moved to Knoxville in 1795, where he designed and built several of the city's earliest houses. At least two houses built by Hope— the Ramsey House (1797) in East Knoxville and Statesview
(ca. 1806) in West Knoxville
— are still standing, and have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, England
, in 1757, and learned the house construction trade in London. During the 1780s, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina
, where he had been hired to build a house for South Carolina planter Ralph Izard
. This house stood on Broad Street in Charleston for several decades. During the early 1790s, Hope lived in Cheraw, South Carolina
, where he married his wife, Elizabeth Large, in 1793. Hope then moved to Knoxville, which at the time was the capital of the Southwest Territory
, in 1795.
Hope's first project in Knoxville was the Ramsey House, or Swan Pond, a two-story Georgian-style
house completed in 1797. Hope found ample work in Knoxville, a burgeoning frontier town in need of professional builders. In the decade after completing the Ramsey House, Hope built a house known as "Trafalgar" for planter John Kain, overlooking the Holston River
in Knox County. Around 1806, Hope completed the Federal-style
Statesview for surveyor Charles McClung
in what is now West Knoxville. In 1812, Hope built a house, later known as "Maison de Sante," for Knoxville physician Joseph C. Strong, which stood at the corner of State Street and Cumberland Avenue. In addition to house construction, Hope co-founded a carpenters' guild in Knoxville in 1801.
The original design of the James Park House
in Knoxville, built around 1812, is sometimes attributed to Hope. In 1816, Hope received several payments from Thomas Humes (1767–1816), builder of the Lamar House Hotel
, suggesting that Hope may have played a role in the hotel's original design (although there is little else to support this). Hope's last project was the original Rotherwood Mansion, built for Presbyterian clergyman Frederick Augustus Ross
in what is now Kingsport, Tennessee
. After Hope's death in 1820, his son oversaw Rotherwood's completion.
(1632–1723) and contemporary American architect Charles Bulfinch
. Many of Hope's designs were inspired by William Pain's 1781 book, The Builder's Golden Rule, which Hope carried with him on his various projects. Hope typically used a mix of Georgian and Federal architectural styles, depending on his clients' needs.
Silas Dinsmore in the mid-1790s. In his Autobiography, historian J. G. M. Ramsey
(1797–1884), the son of Francis Alexander Ramsey, for whom the Ramsey House was built, stated that Hope designed a bookcase and desk for the house's library. Since then, a number of furniture pieces from early Knoxville have been attributed to Hope, including a desk and bookcase once owned by early Knox County settler David Campbell.
While Hope supplied furniture for some of his patrons, whether he made the furniture pieces or merely acquired them is disputed. Furniture historian Ann McPherson states that certain pieces attributed to Hope contain rococo
elements unlikely to be used by Hope, and points out the pieces' resemblance to a cabinet-making style that originated in the Winchester, Virginia
area in the late eighteenth century.
In 1868, Thomas Hope's grandsons, David James Hope and John W. Hope, opened Hope Brothers Jewelry, which operated out of a shop on Gay Street
into the twentieth century. In 1897, the Hope brothers erected a 12 feet (3.7 m) street clock in front of their store that remained a landmark in downtown Knoxville for over a century. The Hope Brothers Jewelry Store became Kimball's Jewelry in 1933, and in 2004, Kimball's relocated to West Knoxville, and took the Hope clock with them. The City of Knoxville erected a new street clock to replace the Hope clock in 2007.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
American architect and house joiner
Joiner
A joiner differs from a carpenter in that joiners cut and fit joints in wood that do not use nails. Joiners usually work in a workshop since the formation of various joints generally requires non-portable machinery. A carpenter normally works on site...
, active primarily in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Trained in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Hope moved to Knoxville in 1795, where he designed and built several of the city's earliest houses. At least two houses built by Hope— the Ramsey House (1797) in East Knoxville and Statesview
Statesview
Statesview, or States View, is a historic house located on South Peters Road off Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Built in the early 1800s by early Knoxville architect Thomas Hope and rebuilt in the early 1820s following a fire, Statesview was originally the home of surveyor Charles...
(ca. 1806) in West Knoxville
West Knoxville
West Knoxville is the section of Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, that lies west of the city's downtown area. It generally stretches from Sequoyah Hills on the east to the city's border with Farragut on the west...
— are still standing, and have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Biography
Hope was born in KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in 1757, and learned the house construction trade in London. During the 1780s, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, where he had been hired to build a house for South Carolina planter Ralph Izard
Ralph Izard
Ralph Izard was a U.S. politician. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1794.-Early life:...
. This house stood on Broad Street in Charleston for several decades. During the early 1790s, Hope lived in Cheraw, South Carolina
Cheraw, South Carolina
Cheraw is a town on the Pee Dee River in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,524 at the 2000 census and center of an urban cluster with a total population of 9,069. It has been nicknamed "The Prettiest Town in Dixie." The harbor tub USS Cheraw was named in the...
, where he married his wife, Elizabeth Large, in 1793. Hope then moved to Knoxville, which at the time was the capital of the Southwest Territory
Southwest Territory
The Territory South of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Southwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 26, 1790, until June 1, 1796, when it was admitted to the United States as the State of Tennessee.The Southwest Territory was...
, in 1795.
Hope's first project in Knoxville was the Ramsey House, or Swan Pond, a two-story Georgian-style
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
house completed in 1797. Hope found ample work in Knoxville, a burgeoning frontier town in need of professional builders. In the decade after completing the Ramsey House, Hope built a house known as "Trafalgar" for planter John Kain, overlooking the Holston River
Holston River
The Holston River is a major river system of southwestern Virginia and east Tennessee. The three major forks of the Holston rise in southwestern Virginia and have their confluence near Kingsport, Tennessee. The North Fork flows southwest from Sharon Springs in Bland County, Virginia...
in Knox County. Around 1806, Hope completed the Federal-style
Federal architecture
Federal-style architecture is the name for the classicizing architecture built in the United States between c. 1780 and 1830, and particularly from 1785 to 1815. This style shares its name with its era, the Federal Period. The name Federal style is also used in association with furniture design...
Statesview for surveyor Charles McClung
Charles McClung
Charles McClung was an American pioneer, politician, and surveyor best known for drawing up the original plat of Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1791. While Knoxville has since expanded to many times its original size, the city's downtown area still roughly follows McClung's 1791 grid...
in what is now West Knoxville. In 1812, Hope built a house, later known as "Maison de Sante," for Knoxville physician Joseph C. Strong, which stood at the corner of State Street and Cumberland Avenue. In addition to house construction, Hope co-founded a carpenters' guild in Knoxville in 1801.
The original design of the James Park House
James Park House
The James Park House is a historic house located at 422 West Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. The house's foundation was built by Governor John Sevier in the 1790s, and the house itself was built by Knoxville merchant and mayor, James Park , in 1812, making it the second-oldest...
in Knoxville, built around 1812, is sometimes attributed to Hope. In 1816, Hope received several payments from Thomas Humes (1767–1816), builder of the Lamar House Hotel
Bijou Theatre (Knoxville)
The Bijou Theatre is a theater located in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Built in 1909 as an addition to the Lamar House Hotel, the theater has at various times served as performance venue of both traditional theatre and vaudeville, a second-run moviehouse, a commencement stage for the city's...
, suggesting that Hope may have played a role in the hotel's original design (although there is little else to support this). Hope's last project was the original Rotherwood Mansion, built for Presbyterian clergyman Frederick Augustus Ross
Frederick Augustus Ross
Frederick Augustus Ross, was a Presbyterian clergyman.He was born in Cobham, Cumberland County, Virginia.He was educated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, entered the ministry,...
in what is now Kingsport, Tennessee
Kingsport, Tennessee
Kingsport is a city located mainly in Sullivan County with some western portions in Hawkins County in the US state of Tennessee. The majority of the city lies in Sullivan County...
. After Hope's death in 1820, his son oversaw Rotherwood's completion.
Style
Hope's influences included English architect Christopher WrenChristopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren FRS is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.He used to be accorded responsibility for rebuilding 51 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710...
(1632–1723) and contemporary American architect Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch was an early American architect, and has been regarded by many as the first native-born American to practice architecture as a profession....
. Many of Hope's designs were inspired by William Pain's 1781 book, The Builder's Golden Rule, which Hope carried with him on his various projects. Hope typically used a mix of Georgian and Federal architectural styles, depending on his clients' needs.
Buildings
Hope is known to have built the following:- The Ralph Izard House, circa 1788, on Broad Street in Charleston, South Carolina; no longer standing.
- The Ramsey House, or Swan Pond, in East Knoxville, Tennessee, completed 1797. Built of locally-quarried pink marbleHolston FormationThe Holston Formation, alternately known as the Holston Limestone, is a stratigraphic unit of Ordovician age within the Chickamauga Group in the Ridge-and-Valley physiographic province of the southeastern United States...
and limestone around a central hall floor plan; contains hand-carved corniceCorniceCornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
s. The house is now a museum. - StatesviewStatesviewStatesview, or States View, is a historic house located on South Peters Road off Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Built in the early 1800s by early Knoxville architect Thomas Hope and rebuilt in the early 1820s following a fire, Statesview was originally the home of surveyor Charles...
, built circa 1806 in the Ebenezer community (now part of West Knoxville, Tennessee). Designed in the Federal style, this house's original layout was altered somewhat after it was damaged by fire in 1823. The house is now a private residence. - Trafalgar, built circa 1806 along the Holston River in Knox County; no longer standing.
- Joseph Strong House, built circa 1812 in Knoxville; demolished in 1971 to make way for highway construction.
- Rotherwood, built in 1820 in Boatyard, Tennessee (now Kingsport). This mansion burned in 1865, and was replaced shortly thereafter by the current Rotherwood Mansion.
Furniture
Hope supplied furniture for many of the houses he constructed. A ledger owned by War Department agent David Henley shows that Hope also supplied furniture for Tellico agentTellico Blockhouse
The Tellico Blockhouse was an early American outpost located along the Little Tennessee River in Vonore, Monroe County, Tennessee. Completed in 1794, the blockhouse operated until 1807 with the purpose of keeping the peace between nearby Overhill Cherokee towns and early Euro-American settlers in...
Silas Dinsmore in the mid-1790s. In his Autobiography, historian J. G. M. Ramsey
J. G. M. Ramsey
James Gettys McGready Ramsey was an American historian, physician, and businessman, active primarily in East Tennessee during the nineteenth century. Ramsey is perhaps best known for his book, The Annals of Tennessee, a seminal work documenting the state's frontier and early statehood periods...
(1797–1884), the son of Francis Alexander Ramsey, for whom the Ramsey House was built, stated that Hope designed a bookcase and desk for the house's library. Since then, a number of furniture pieces from early Knoxville have been attributed to Hope, including a desk and bookcase once owned by early Knox County settler David Campbell.
While Hope supplied furniture for some of his patrons, whether he made the furniture pieces or merely acquired them is disputed. Furniture historian Ann McPherson states that certain pieces attributed to Hope contain rococo
Rococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
elements unlikely to be used by Hope, and points out the pieces' resemblance to a cabinet-making style that originated in the Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is an independent city located in the northwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. The city's population was 26,203 according to the 2010 Census...
area in the late eighteenth century.
Legacy
The Ramsey House and Statesview are the only two surviving structures known to have been built by Thomas Hope. The James Park House, which still stands in downtown Knoxville, is sometimes attributed to Hope, although its original design has been modified numerous times. The destruction of the Joseph Strong House in 1971 sparked an outcry from preservationists, and was one of the events that led to the establishment of the Knoxville-area preservation group Knox Heritage.In 1868, Thomas Hope's grandsons, David James Hope and John W. Hope, opened Hope Brothers Jewelry, which operated out of a shop on Gay Street
Gay Street (Knoxville)
Gay Street is a street in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, that traverses the heart of the city's downtown area. Since its development in the 1790s, Gay Street has served as the city's principal financial and commercial thoroughfare, and has played a primary role in the city's historical and cultural...
into the twentieth century. In 1897, the Hope brothers erected a 12 feet (3.7 m) street clock in front of their store that remained a landmark in downtown Knoxville for over a century. The Hope Brothers Jewelry Store became Kimball's Jewelry in 1933, and in 2004, Kimball's relocated to West Knoxville, and took the Hope clock with them. The City of Knoxville erected a new street clock to replace the Hope clock in 2007.
External links
- Ramsey House Plantation — official site