Soane's Museum & Castle Acre [by Leigh McDonald, dated 6/15/13]

Sloane's museum and Castle Acre have been my favorite traveling destinations thus far. Both of these locations present historical artifacts in their natural location. I had not yet seen a house totally preserved in its original state, or at least a state in which it had last been inhabited. I had never once heard of Sir John Soane and knew not why people were interested in a museum dedicated to him. However, the work of the architect was almost solely presented in the architectural layout of his house. Art and work of other established men were put on display in the various rooms of Soane's house. The colors of his living room were a tribute to Pompei, while his teaching room presented various Roman and Grecian artifacts and his painting room displayed works of Hogart. In Soane's basement laid the sarcophagus of Seti. Beyond the appreciation of ancient art and culture, something much more novel could be drawn from the Soane Museum. Guests were able to walk around in the mind and life of a man born in the 18th century. Such incredible preservation is not common. I have never been to such an impressive and dynamic museum.
 
The ruins at castle acre were equally astounding. Dating back to the 12th century, the priory's front wall was still standing just enough to see the face of the church building with its awe-inspiring bind interlace arcading and the now empty west oriole window. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the site was that the stone came from about 30 miles away, and was transported by river. This same difficulty in execution, without modern technology or transportation, has continued to baffle me when viewing establishments of similar architectural excellence like the castle at Norwich.

Submitted by Leigh McDonald, 6/15/2013 

Soane Museum