Perkins House

The story

Behind the sketch.

The Perkins House dates to about 1815, making its earliest rooms among the oldest in Twickenham. Some references call it the Winston–Orgain House, another example of a Huntsville property carrying different family names through different generations. The compact Federal core was enlarged in stages, and the porch seen today is a later Victorian addition. That mix of periods is the real story. The house began when Huntsville was still a young frontier town, then grew and dressed itself up as the city became wealthier and more fashionable. It is less a single architectural statement than a family scrapbook made of brick, timber, and porch columns.

Neighborhood

Twickenham

Book location

Page 62