In 1871, General Joseph Howland commissioned his brother-in-law, the French-trained architect Richard Morris Hunt, to design a library for the village of Matteawan, a church, and a music room addition to his house, Tioronda. The resulting works were energetic and surreal; a mixture of forms from remote parts of Europe. This presentation by architectural historian Steven Baltsas will consider Hunt's design influences, which range from medieval French market towns to Alpine chalets. Learn how Hunt altered the course of American architecture after the Civil War with these rare surviving buildings. 

This program is part of a series presented by the Howland Library, the Howland Cultural Center, and the Beacon Historical Society in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Howland Library.