In 1848, the second year of the new Dutch "kolonie" in West
Michigan's Ottawa County, a much-needed brick manufacturing
industry was begun in the rich clay fields between Groningen and
Zeeland. From humble beginnings that included digging barefoot in
the clay, the company created by Dutch immigrant Jan Hendrik
Veneklasen and his son Berend flourished for more than seventy-five
years and contributed to a unique architectural legacy.
While Veneklasen Brick Co. (later Zeeland Brick Co.) remained in
the family, success demanded that it expand beyond the Zeeland
area. Strengthened by the purchase of clay pits elsewhere in West
Michigan and benefiting from the arrival of railroad lines,
Veneklasen eventually became one of the largest brick companies in
the state. Veneklasen's bricks were used in commercial, industrial,
and public settings, but their residential application has drawn
the most attention. Mixing traditional Dutch patterns and
constantly changing American housing styles, local brick masons
left behind a prime example of nineteenth-century Dutch-American
material culture.
Drawing from untapped primary sources, Michael Douma's work
traces the history of the Veneklasen family, the development of the
Veneklasen company, and the impact of its products on local
construction. The first-ever book-length analysis of West Michigan
Dutch contributions to architecture, "Veneklasen Brick" also
addresses issues of conservation and preservation. The volume
contains numerous illustrations, graphs, maps, and a comprehensive
listing of nineteenth-century brick houses in southern Ottawa and
northern Allegan counties.
General
Imprint: |
William B Eerdmans Publishing Co
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
October 2005 |
First published: |
August 2005 |
Authors: |
Michael J Douma
|
Dimensions: |
229 x 152 x 6mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
103 |
Edition: |
illustrated edition |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-8028-3163-7 |
Categories: |
Books >
Arts & Architecture >
Architecture >
General
|
LSN: |
0-8028-3163-X |
Barcode: |
9780802831637 |
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!