This week’s photo challenge was for descent – “a perspective looking down”.

One of the most beautiful staircases I’ve ever seen is at the historic Jefferson Hotel, in downtown Richmond, Virginia.  According to their website, the hotel was built in 1895 by the tobacco magnate, Lewis Ginter.  It nearly burned down in 1901 and was not rebuilt for several years.  The famous statute of Thomas Jefferson had to be repaired when Jefferson’s head broke off as it was being carried to safety.

The hotel also had alligators in the pools until 1948!  They were pets donated by local residents who needed to get rid of them when they got too big.

According to Wikipedia, Margaret Mitchell stayed at the Jefferson during the time she wrote “Gone With The Wind”.  It is believed that the staircase at the Jefferson was the inspiration for the staircase she described in her book.

These pictures were taken at several different times.  The Christmas decorations are gorgeous and I hope to take more pictures of them this year.

Looking down the staircase at the Jefferson Hotel.

Looking down the staircase for Christmas.

Looking up the staircase during Christmas at the Jefferson Hotel.

Example of decorations on the ceiling of the lower level at the Jefferson Hotel.

Alligator in the fountain at the front entrance of the Jefferson Hotel.

Statute of Thomas Jefferson in the rotunda at the Jefferson Hotel.

Side entrance to the Jefferson Hotel.

Stained glass in the ceiling of the rotunda at the Jefferson Hotel.

Jefferson Hotel Richmond Weekly Photo Challenge alligators Christmas decorations descent Gone With The WInd Jefferson Hotel Margaret Mitchell Richmond stained glass Thomas Jefferson Virginia weekly photo challenge