Casa Feliz, or "Happy House" in Spanish, is the signature residential work of noted architect James Gamble Rogers II. Initially known as the Barbour Estate, this Andalusian-style masonry farmhouse has significantly influenced the architectural and cultural aspects of this community. This house is one of Rogers' best-known residences in Florida. In 2000, in order to save it from destruction, the city of Winter Park moved it to its current location at 656 Park Avenue North in Winter Park. On December 31, 2008, it was added to the United States

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

History

In 1932, Robert Barbour, who owned a company that manufactured chemical dyes, asked James Rogers to design him a home. The house was completed in 1933. The Barbour family frequently hosted community events at their house, including the Spanish Institute of Florida's annual party, giving it the name Casa Feliz in the 1960s. In 1951, the Barbour family sold the property and in 2000, the City of Winter Park acquired the building.

Design

Rogers created a gracious residence, with large public rooms. The living room opens to a garden on one side and a courtyard on the other; the dining room also opens to this courtyard. Along the garden front is an arched

loggia In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior gallery or corridor, usually on an upper level, but sometimes on the ground level of a building. The outer wall is open to the elements, usually supported by a series of columns ...

that connects the living room, entrance hall and library. The home also features an arched

porte cochere Porte may refer to: *Sublime Porte, the central government of the Ottoman empire *Porte, Piedmont, a municipality in the Piedmont region of Italy *John Cyril Porte, British/Irish aviator *Richie Porte, Australian professional cyclist who competes ...

. The interior of "Casa Feliz" is refurbished to its original condition. The living room has a vaulted ceiling with massive hand-hewn beams. The public spaces of the house are the living and dining rooms, library, courtyards and detached garden room (formerly the garage). Typical James Gamble Rogers II details include the

majolica In different periods of time and in different countries, the term ''majolica'' has been used for two distinct types of pottery. Firstly, from the mid-15th century onwards, was ''maiolica'', a type of pottery reaching Italy from Spain, Majorca a ...

-tiled interior courtyard and fountain, arched doorways and a circular staircase. The exterior of "Casa Feliz" and grounds feature original Spanish roof tiles and whitewashed bricks, a turret, a bell tower and a heavy timber balcony, lush landscaping, courtyards, oaks and native plants contained by clay

amphoras An amphora (; grc, ἀμφορεύς, ''amphoreús''; English plural: amphorae or amphoras) is a type of container with a pointed bottom and characteristic shape and size which fit tightly (and therefore safely) against each other in storag ...

Recent history

Originally the house stood at 656 North Interlachen Avenue bordering one of Winter Park's lakes with the garden front of the house facing the lake. It stood there for about seventy years. In 2000, the then-owner began to demolish the house. The City of Winter Park acquired the house and relocated it 900 feet to city-owned property.

Casa Feliz Historic House Museum

The Casa Feliz

historic house museum A historic house museum is a house of historic significance that has been transformed into a museum. Historic furnishings may be displayed in a way that reflects their original placement and usage in a home. Historic house museums are held to a ...

has a permanent exhibit that focuses on the life and works of architect James Gamble Rogers II. The estate has been restored to reflect its original 1930s appearance and serves as a Winter Park and Orlando wedding venue.

References

External links

{{commons category, Robert Bruce Barbour House
Casa Feliz Historic House Museum
- official site Houses in Orange County, Florida Historic house museums in Florida National Register of Historic Places in Orange County, Florida Museums in Orange County, Florida Museums established in 1932 Buildings and structures in Winter Park, Florida Event venues on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida Houses completed in 1932