Whimsical windows, delirious doors

Antique and sleek meet

This is the cupola of the stately Sterling Opera House in Derby, Ct. contrasted with the roof lines of a modern shopping plaza in the foreground.

Here's one of the windows in the vacant opera house as seen from the interior.

See lots of interesting architectural details at Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors, a fun meme hosted by Toby.

Looking at a small part of my world

I snapped these two pix today of our city's library on my way home from doing an errand.

I took them from inside the car.

I love this historic structure. I should have taken the time to get out of the car to photograph the arched entranceway, above which Minerva, goddess of wisdom and knowledge, rests.

The entrance is to the right in the photo.

And here it is in a sepia tone, vignette-style. Which do you prefer?

This info is from the library's site:

"The Ansonia Public Library was dedicated on June 9, 1892. But it sat vacant for four years because the town fathers refused to provide the $1,500 per year toward the library's operating expenses. Finally, on Aug. 13, 1896, the town administrators relented and voted the annual $1,500 appropriation."

That must have been high finance in the late 19th century!