Inside The Josephine ~ Part 2 of 7

It's almost as much fun to look into the past when you see the inside of this old hotel as it is to think of what could be.  You think of the people who might have stayed here.  Were they visiting family or just passing through?  We're they salesmen or business men in town to close a deal?  Could they have been a politician with his staff on a campaign stop?  What ever the reason, everyone wanted a chance to stay at one of the finest hotels in Alabama in the 1880's.  

The Josephine was world class and it was designed and built by the very best architects and builders to be found in Alabama.  However, it was the vision of Dr. Robert Fleming and his determination to invest in Union Springs that made The Josephine Hotel a reality. 

This ad, like many others, were placed in the Union Springs Herald well in advance of The Josephine's grand opening. 
September 13th, 1880 was the day of she opened.  A reception welcoming guest and borders, all awaiting to see the stylish accommodations.  It had to be quite the sight.

The hotel, with it's stylish furnishings, dark walnut woodworks, newly heart pine stained wood floors, elegant woven rugs, draperies, first class dining, and delicious cuisine would make The Josephine Hotel irresistible to passing travelers.

Today, The Josephine still stands.  She is about to be awakened.  

Her front windows are currently being replaced.  In the near future, she will have all that white paint removed and restored back to her original red brick.  With time, and money the owners hope to get rid of that awful awning and restore the original facade back to the original look.  The porch and beautiful balcony will become a place where the town's people will once again gather.

Today, you see here what's left after 134 years of multiple renovations.  Let me explain what you are seeing here.

First this is the front facing Prairie Street.  If you were to remove the wall to your right you'll see another window that comes to the floor just like the one you see on the right in the photo.  This room is much larger than it looks.  Without the wall on the right you would be standing in what was the original lobby of the hotel.  The window there that comes to the floor would allow people access to the balcony.  There was a wonderful large swing on that porch. 

Furniture items left behind from long ago still remain here.

If the balcony were still here, guests would have this view.

The entire hotel has transoms.  When all the windows are open and these transoms are open as well, there is a very nice and continuous breeze blowing.  Even in these hot, humid summers we have here, one could find relief by sitting in the lobby and enjoying a that breeze. 

Since there weren't telephones in the rooms in those days, a guest would simply push this button for service.  This would ring the clerk at the registration desk in the lobby.  The clerk would then dispatch a hotel servant to attend to the needs of the guest. 

Almost every door in the building still has the original number on it. The doors are made of solid dark walnut.  Amazingly they still open and close as perfectly as the day they were built.

 Many of the doors still have these beautiful and original hinges on them.  They're ornate and incredibly well made.

Most of the rooms have sinks in them.  The shared bathrooms would be between two rooms.  They included a tub and a toilet. However, that is not what was original to the way it was in 1880. I believe I was told that there may have only been two bathrooms per floor and shared by all on that floor.  (Uhh, I don't think I could do that, do you?)

Below, all the tubs in the building are cast iron tubs. All but one. There is only one that is a claw-footed tub.  Most likely the only one original to the building.  The others were probably removed by previous owners of the past.  I tried to get a photo of that claw-footed tub, but it was in a dark room, with no power, and silly me couldn't get my flash to work.  

Almost all the rooms still have the original radiators for heat.  Some had fireplaces in addition. 

Remains of a bathroom.

More furniture left behind.

 Long ago all the side windows were bricked up by a past owner.  Why?  Who knows.

This is another door that leads to the shared bathroom and the opened door to another room.  See that wonderful dark wood peeking out from beneath that white paint? 

An old cane bottom chair found tucked away in a closet.  Like time stood still.

More furniture left behind...

Wall brackets with ornate tops, made for shelving.  

An old chair an a few other old items left behind.

Here's an old record album some one left. Tommy Sands, a very popular singer and later became an actor.  This album was released in 1957.  

An additional door in this room gave access to another hall and staircase that led to the 3rd floor.  The door is somewhat smaller than entry doors to the rooms. 

This is that stairway below.  Is this where backstairs gossip got it's start?

The woodwork on this staircase is also all original an in amazing condition.  Not one slat out of place.  Just beautiful!

In the photo above if you notice to the left of the stairs you see what looks like a door.  That is a closet under the stairs.  Want to know what was found there?

Well you will have to wait until part 3 of this 7 part blog.  Don't you just love to be kept hanging?  

Don't want to miss a single part?  Just go back to the top of this blog and enter your email address in the white bar.  What happens is that when I hit the publish button it will send you the latest blog post. That way you'll never miss a single post.

Thank you for joining me on this tour of the historic Josephine Hotel.  Be sure to catch the next post coming soon and we'll continue the tour on the first floor.

Inside The Josephine Hotel ~ Part 1 of 7

Sorry it's been so long since my last post.  But it's been quite busy around the Josephine lately.  I've been helping out a lot with events and various other duties.  I have also been learning much more about the Josephine and I've got lots more photographs of the inside of the building.  A whole lot!  In fact I have so much to tell that I am simply going to have to break this down into parts.  

The Josephine Hotel, the building itself, has had more owners in her 134 year history and more businesses in it than I can begin to count. But it is important to remember a couple of things before you read any further:

1. The Josephine was built specifically as a hotel to occupy the 2nd and 3rd floors. The ground floor would be for three individual businesses to rent space in the three commercial spaces. Countless businesses have occupied those spaces over the years.  But more importantly they have been occupied by some form of business for all 134 years of the building's existence.  Few buildings have that to boast about.  The hotel part of the building continued to be operated as a hotel from 1880 to about 1985.  I don't know of many hotels around the country that have operated for 105 years.  Maybe a few around the country.  Overseas... yes.  But we're talking Union Springs, Alabama, not New York, San Francisco, or Boston. 

2. The Josephine has a future.  You better believe that.  She's not yet ready to be hotel again but she's on her way.  

In this 7 part blog, I will take you on a tour throughout the building. and show you things NO ONE has ever seen before.  I was once again granted access to the entire building. I saw things this time I hadn't seen previously and I can't wait to share it with all my readers. 

Not only will you see how it is now, but I am going to divulge a little privileged information about some of the upcoming plans for many of the spaces.  You're really going to like this, so sit back and relax and join me for an inside tour of the Josephine.

Let's begin with the access staircase.  This is located on the first floor on the retail side of the Josephine Art Center. There are a couple of double doors there, but these are usually locked and closed off to the public.

Below this is the view looking down the access staircase.

Once you arrive on the second floor, you see the long and very wide hall where all the rooms are. At the end you can see the railing for the back staircase which used to lead to the dining room on the first floor.  The plan here for the hall is to paint murals on both sides. 

Then if you look left from the access staircase you would see the grand staircase.  As promised in my previous blog about the stair case I took a lot of extra pictures of it.  

The view from the top.

Below: 

The view from halfway up the staircase.  A couple of things to note here.  At the top of the photo... see that bannister there? That is the access staircase from the first floor.  This is pretty close to where the original stairway that came in directly from the street when the hotel was built. That small squared off area at the bottom just to the right of the newel post is where the registration desk was. 

Another view below.  The plans are to renovate the staircase and make it available for weddings and wedding photos as it was also used for many years ago.  

Not only is this staircase beautiful in everyway, but it is amazing to me that it is absolutely solid.  Not as much as a squeaky step!  Usually stairs this old would creak and crackle, but not here. Solid. 

Another thing that amazes me is the spindles.  Not a one is missing.  They are in the most incredible condition.  Almost like time stood still.

And of course that spectacular newel post.  The picture really cannot capture this size craftsmanship of this amazing piece.  I'm about 5'1 in height and when I stand next to it I would say it's almost to my shoulders. Next time I'm up there I'm taking a tape measure. It's really big. 

Here you can see that beautiful rich dark walnut wood beneath the old ivory paint. It is truly a remarkable piece.

Moving on... just one of many rooms.  Most had a fireplace, but not all.  All of the rooms do have a radiator.  The first door is a closet and the second there leads to a shared bathroom. Most of the rooms all have a sink and some still have the light and the medicine cabinet like in this room. 

Below you see a little more detail in the fireplace and radiator.

Sink and medicine cabinet 

Check out the slat wood wall.

Below is a room at the front of the building.  It's on the northside corner and faces Prairie Street. This room and the adjoining room just behind me will soon be Joyce's room, (the owner).  It will be used like I mentioned in a previous post, as a ART Incubator.  A place to create.  Painting, pottery, sculpting, writing, photography, or whatever you like.   The window will be replaced by late next week.  They are replacing ALL of the front windows to the building.

This room is at the south side corner of the front.  The window was just replaced.  This will soon be my room.  I am so excited to be part of this.  Here I will paint, as I am an artist, jewelry designer, and writer.  I believe in this place I will be inspired.  Several more rooms will be renovated in the VERY near future to local artists of all types who can rent a room of their own at a low nominal fee.  They can be inspired to create, make, and then sell their art downstairs.  It's a wonderful concept for anyone who just wants a inspirational place of their own to create and sell all in the same building.  It's already being done all over the country. 

There is just a magical feeling you'd get when you have a peaceful workplace.  Away from distractions, television, computers, cell phones, work, and kids.  Just you and your creative juices flowing.  This will be a great place for all artist to get together and share ideas, get advice, inspire, and encourage each other.  This IS that place.  If this is something you've always thought you'd like to do, now it the time to be thinking a little more about checking this one off the bucket list.  I'm doing it.  It's so peaceful up there.  Contact Joyce at the Josephine to inquire about it.  There will only be a limited number of spaces.   So call her and get your name on the list. 334-703-0098

There's still a lot more to come in Part 2 of 7

Inside The Josephine

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  If you have any comments I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. 

Best Selling Author Coming To The Josephine

I just couldn't resist blogging about one of my favorite Authors, Melinda Rainey Thompson.  I remember several years ago when her first book was released, I was browsing through various books at the bookstore when I happened upon SWAG, which means Southern Women Aging Gracefully.  I was sold on the name alone, but when I noticed she was from Alabama, I knew I had to read it. 

When I found out the The Josephine Hotel was going to host a ladies luncheon with Melinda as the speaker... I nearly choked on my pimento and cheese sandwich.  Are you kidding me?  She is coming to Union Springs?  Holy Cow!  This is not just big... it's REALLY BIG!  I can't wait to meet her.  I will fill you in on all those details in just a few minutes.  Let me enlighten you a little more about Melinda Rainey Thompson. 

Melinda is actually a small town girl herself.  She hails from Greenville, Alabama.  Went to on to graduated from Tulane University, became an English Professor at Birmingham-Southern College.  She began writing humorous essays, which led to writing her first book.  Melinda is married, to husband Judge Bill Thompson and resides in Birmingham where they are raising three children.

Melinda Rainey Thompson

 In her first book, Melinda hits on various topics from a Southern Woman's perspective.  (We are a unique breed, you know) She talks about everything from swimsuit shopping, squirrel battles, family reunions, sick children, to cemetery etiquette.  We all can relate to these and more.  Her humor is fresh, relatable, and very funny.  

 This was the sequel to the first book.  Equally as funny, it touches on subjects near and dear to us like, how we become our mother, raising children who play sports, dealing with the unexpected, to the fate of manners.  I really like this one too.

This was the third book which is quite funny in my opinion.
I love you - Now Hush is a fresh take on common arguments that will make you laugh out loud and maybe even instill a bit of insight when it comes to the opposite sex.  Also covered are several not-so-common squabbles, such as proper singing etiquette and hoarding mayonnaise jars.  I highly recommend it.

Melinda's most recent book is entitled, I've Had It Up To Here With Teenagers.  This is the only one left for me to buy and read.  Moms with teenagers will love this one. Here's an excerpt:
"Raising teenagers is not for the meek, the tender-hearted or the easily nauseated.  Its a bit like going on a religious crusade, loaning money to a third world country, or hiking your way out of the rainforest without a machete, a GPS or an antivenin kit -- only harder and riskier."  Whether you've raised yours or are still raising teens, you'll get a kick out of this book.

 Now, about the event...

Southern Ladies Day Out - This is a special day for special ladies. Melinda Rainey Thompson will bring laughter to The Josephine while everyone enjoys a delightful lunch and dessert.  The event will take place on Saturday, May 10th at 11:30 AM and may last about 1-1/2 to 2 hours total.  The tickets are $25.00 per person and will include, the speaker, lunch, dessert, the book signing, and all the shopping your heart desires.  You will have an opportunity to meet Melinda, talk with her, and if you'll remember your camera, get your picture made with her too.  Don't feel like you need to run out and buy her books before you get there.  Melinda will have copies of all her books there and they will be available to purchase. 

This will be a wonderful day trip perfect for Moms, Daughters, Sisters, and your Bestest Friends.  

So how do you get tickets?
Just go to the website - http://artatjosephine.com
Click on the photo of the event and book your tickets.

The seating is limited so I would book tickets soon.  

Trust me... you will have a ball and an unforgettable time.

One more thing... 

I know all of us girls get busy taking care of everyone else in our lives that we often put ourselves on the back burner.  Do something fun for yourself.  You deserve it.  Really. 

I know I will be there and hope to see you too!