WEST ALABAMA MEMORIES 2009 ORNAMENT
The "Little Round House" on the University of Alabama campus is famous for having escaped being burned by the Union army during the Civil War in 1865. The Little Round House was the only structure on the UA campus that had any militaristic association with the Confederacy. The structure is neither round nor a house. It was built around 1860 to house cadets on sentry duty in inclement weather. An octagonal Gothic Revival structure, the Little Round House was based on the design of a Gothic castle. Each of the structure's eight sides is filled with a large window so there would not be any blind spots for cadets on duty. We are grateful to artist Dan Rountree for donating his rendition of the "Little Round House" for our 15th annual ornament design. Dan, an Alabama native since 1977, is most known for his stunning watercolors. He has taken classes with some of the finest artists in the United States. Yet, none of them have influenced his work as much as Joan Potter. Dan traveled to Santa Fe to study with her. Over the years, their friendship has grown with many trips to Santa Fe and Joan coming to Alabama to teach a workshop. Dan also works out of Rountree Studio in Northport, Alabama.