I hesitate to jump into this thread, but just want to put forth the
following (too obvious?) piece of info. The following line is from the
response below.
"I have seen absolutely no primary sources (or secondary, for that matter)
to support the two staircase idea for any other reason than architectural
symmetry/design."
The Shakers definitely constructed some of their buildings (Dwelling Houses
in particular) with two staircases for reasons other than architectural
symmetry. One was only for use by men, and the other only for women. They
kept fairly strict separation of the sexes. Other societies or religions or
personal beliefs may also have believed in such separation. Whether this
may have led to dueling staircases in other architectural construction is
way beyond my ability to speculate.
Marc Williams
American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
4 Rockville Road
Broad Brook, CT 06016
www.conservator.com
860-386-6058
*Collections Preservation Consultation
*Conservation Assessments & Surveys
*Low-Tech Environmental Control
*Moisture Management Solutions
*Collections in Historic Structures
*Conservation Treatment of:
Furniture
Painted Wood
Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Architectural Interiors
Marc A. Williams, President
MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
Former Chief Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martha Katz-Hyman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 9:59 AM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] another historic house myth?
>I asked this question of the ALHFAM (Association for Living History,
> Farm and Agricultural Museums) list, and received the following
> response from one of the most knowledgeable members of the list on
> this topic. I hope this will be helpful information for everyone!
>
> Martha Katz-Hyman
> **************************
>
> "Anytime I am asked about a 19th Century (or before) double
> staircase
> in relation to seeing up a woman's skirts, I always ask them to imagine
> trying to get up any set of stairs without lifting the FRONT of their
> long skirt. If you don't, you will tread all over it. When you lift the
> front of your skirt, the back comes in close to the legs, so it is near
> on to impossible to see up it from the back (especially in a hoop). If
> you are walking down the stair, you can lift up, or a little out and
> away, and I imagine, unless you are a real cad, (or 10 years old) a
> fellow is not going to be laying on the stairs to catch that small
> opportunity to look up a skirt as you step down. If anyone wonders
> about it, they should put on a long skirt and walk up and down the
> stairs and see just how silly it is to think that there was a need for
> two staircases for modesty's sake. I have seen absolutely no primary
> sources (or secondary, for that matter) to support the two staircase
> idea for any other reason than architectural symmetry/design.
> Conspicuous consumption maybe, but modesty....I don't think so!
> "I have been on tours when the docent or guide has brought this up,
> (and it has been predominantly in the South where one finds many more
> dual staircases) and the willingness of the general visitor to buy into
> it hook, line and sinker is always distressing. I tend to speak up and
> either ask for a demonstration, if they are wearing a long skirt, or
> share: "When I am wearing a long skirt........."
>
> Signed,
>
> Kandie Carle
> aka The Victorian Lady
> Who has just returned from Budapest and Vienna where she walked up and
> down many a staircase (dual and otherwise) in long gowns, and danced
> 'til 4:00am at the Opera Balls. Her ankles are safe."
>
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