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DANVILLE, Va. (AP) — It all started when Joe Scott purchased a fixer-upper house on North Main Street. As soon as the deed transferred, all the history of the more than a century old house fell into his hands.
Scott, 29, has lived in the house at 823 North Main St. since May 2012. Prior to the purchase, the house declined to a state of disrepair. Scott never expected to switch from renting but once he saw the unique and historic structure, he felt determined to make it his.
Soon he realized that he needed to know the storied history of the structure, too. The house was occupied by two famous Danvillians: legendary hairstylist Charles Staubus and artist Carson Sutherlin Davenport.
"This one is in pretty good shape. It just needs some attention. I love my house," he said.
Scott embarked on a fact-finding mission about the house and its well-known inhabitants. His focus has been on Davenport, who produced innumerable pieces in Danville and eventually served as the Averett University arts department chair.
"First of course you can't tell people around here it's this house without saying the 'Styles by Charles' sign out front. Charles did hair in the basement here in the '80s and most of the ladies around here said they'd been in the basement to have their hair done. There is a story he did Elizabeth Taylor's hair here," Scott said.
While neighbors have many stories to tell about the raging parties Staubus held at the house or the hours spent in his styling chairs in his basement operation, Scott found fewer obvious leads regarding Davenport. Soon enough clues began popping up and now he weekly encounters an owner of a Davenport piece.
"I run into somebody weekly who says 'My husband's got a few' or something and I hint 'Well, I'm looking to buy one.' Nobody wants to let go, which I understand," Scott said. "They say they don't know what it's worth. They are thousands of dollars. He was a very notable person from Danville. I just appreciate being able to live in the house that he might have painted in."
Ultimately that is Scott's goal: to own one of Davenport's pieces. Scott is an antiques and vintages enthusiast. He's also an admirer of all things Danville, especially its history, and has contributed to the revitalization efforts from North Main to West Main Streets. Out on West Main Street is where Scott and Derek Anderson recently took over the Back Door Bar and Grill.
The walls of Scott's home are covered in antique colorized illustrations and gold filigree-framed portraits. Figurines and statuettes intermingle with collectible saucers and dishes. An office space is devoted entirely to Danville artists, featuring everything from a collector's map of decades old Danville tourist attractions to a contemporary abstract work. The only thing missing is a piece by Davenport.
Scott first went to the Internet to research. His mother, local pet sitter and familiar face Connie Scott, acquainted him with numerous leads. He's made social media posts petitioning for help finding someone interested in parting with a Davenport piece. He also has reached out to the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History and the historical society for assistance in learning more about Davenport.
Local historian Gary Grant has contributed a trove of information about Davenport's time in Danville, which was split. He lived in the house from about age 12 to his early 20s. He later returned to the property in the 1940s when he served as the Averett University arts department chair.
Recently Grant talked him through the deed transfers on the property. Scott learned from Grant that certain rooms were later additions to the property and that the dining room was located in the basement area.
"When Carson's name appeared on the deed of the house — in the early '60s I believe — it was with somebody else. It was Cassie Averett Young, who was tied in with the Averetts from the college. Nobody knows exactly why that happened," Scott explained.
This joint deed arrangement could have been because of an Averett University faculty housing arrangement or it could have been an effort on behalf of the Averett family to help Davenport in a time of need. Details have been discovered in pieces like this on more than one occasion; a surprising fact but contextually unclear.
"This has been a two year search," he said.
Scott knows that during the Great Depression Davenport produced an enormous amount of work, selling pieces for 50 cents. Even at that low price customers couldn't afford his work. Nonetheless the period resulted in a large volume of his work falling into the hands of community members.
One way Davenport's work was spread so far and wide — including in the White House from the time Franklin Roosevelt occupied the office until First Lady Jackie Kennedy redecorated — is thanks to government assistance. His artwork is often nature scenes or occasionally urban streetscapes.
"He was supported by the government. They were commissioning him to do these things like the mural in Chatham," Scott said.
Information on display alongside the "Harvest Season in Southern Virginia" mural tells of Davenport's professional career. The 2001 Pittsylvania Historical Society document states that Davenport received part of his education at Stratford College. It adds that his work commissioned by the federal government during the Great Depression helped bring him into the national spotlight.
What is obvious from Davenport's work is that he was skilled in both oil and watercolor. He also has woodcuts and etchings in his vast collection. Forty nine of his pieces are in the museum collection with about 10 on display. Two pieces were included in the Maud Gatewood Trail exhibit featuring works by fellow former Averett arts department member Maud Gatewood, who was taught by Davenport.
His pieces use rich and dark tones but can be found to feature exciting glimpses of bright color. Other pieces are a chaotic abstraction of life energized by varied colors. Even those brighter scenes are tempered by cool colors.
Much of Davenport's work is scenes from Chincoteague, where he lived. He has works of docks, beaches and the area's famous wild ponies. He is also known for his incorporation of the working class as subjects.
Scott is attempting to find as much information as he can before he hosts two days of tours through his home and other area landmarks for the Danville Historical Society Holiday Tour. But Scott still wants more information and he's hoping more resources and leads will come out of the woodwork with the exposure of the tour.
Scott's home, located at 823 North Main St., will be featured on the tour on Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13. Tickets, available after Dec. 1, cost $20.
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Information from: Danville Register & Bee, http://www.registerbee.com
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