One of the most interesting styles of architecture to me is Neo-Romanesque. Throughout the United States, this style of architecture can be found on college campuses and in many Catholic Churches. One of the most prominent displays of this style can be found in the architecture of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. When I was in middle school, my family decided to spend Thanksgiving in D.C. We checked all the well-known monuments off our bucket lists and still had time to spare. My dad suggested we take a tour of the Basilica and we all jumped on that idea. Coming from a Catholic family and having attended Catholic Schools my whole life, both the history and significance of the Basilica were very interesting to me.

While walking around the Basilica, I was in awe at the beauty of its design. The high arching ceilings, granite walls and floors, and the beautifully wooden carved benches made it very clear that every last effort was taken to make it as beautiful as possible in the inside.

The Basilica was built in 1920 to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is the largest church in North America, with the ability to hold 10,000 people per service. Bishop Thomas Shahan and Father Bernard McKenna approved the design concepts and hired the Boston firm of Maginnis & Walsh to construct the national shrine, under the supervision of contractor John McShain. The elegance and fine detailing of the Basilica took 41 years to complete, and was opened in 1961.

This past summer my family took a trip to New York City for a family friend’s wedding a just a long weekend get away. We did the normal sightseeing that included seeing places such as Wall Street, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center Memorial, and the Freedom Tower.   One day, however, we ventured north to upstate New York to see the Mohonk Mountain House, one of the most historic resorts in America. After spending a few days in the midst of the hustle and bustle of New York City, it was nice to spend a day here. It felt almost as if we were at a dude ranch in Colorado or Montana.

The hotel was built in 1879 by twin brothers Albert and Alfred Smiley, and has been in the Smiley family’s ownership since then. Lining the halls leading into the main dining room are pictures and plaques that tell the history of the Mohonk Mountain House, detailing what was built when, what famous name has stayed there, and even where every single thing is on the 1300 acres. It was a nice get away to say the least.

The pristine condition that the Smiley family has kept the original architecture in is immaculate. It lets you experience what 19^th century architecture was like, and the delicate craftsmanship they used. The Mohonk Mountain House is a beautiful resort, nestled in the foothills of the even more beautiful Catskill Mountains.