Labor Day Celebrates Craftsmen

As technology and artificial intelligence is replacing labor, it is fun to think about the era of homes that make up many of our conservation and historic districts. Labor Day was officially made a national holiday in 1894 when many of the grandest Victorian mansions were built on Ross Avenue. This is also right before the mansions of Swiss Avenue and the other homes that are now in protected architecturally important neighborhoods. The Labor movement today is maybe not as relevant as workers are not characteristically working seven long 12-hour days a week for little money and no benefits. However, the turn of the 20th century was not only an era of hardship but an era of craftsmen. Talented artisans knew how to design, create, and build. Before CAD drawings on computers and computerized renderings and construction drawings, one can see calculations for this early construction on uncovered boards and beams of an old house. One can also see the markings of hand-hammered iron and hand-planed and hammered wood. Labor Day for me is a time to celebrate the skill and artistry of the laborers from 100 years ago. #architecture #architect #foosheeandcheek #historic #conservationdistrict #greenwayparks #homesthatmakeushappy #dallas #laborday #porch #neighborhood #greenway #artisan #craftsmen #design #flag #architecturallysignificant #architecturallysignificanthomes