I Day - Bancroft Hall

Today is Induction Day at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Five years ago my oldest son started his journey at the Academy. Since then, he graduated and became a commissioned Naval Officer in May 2008. He is now in flight school to become a Navy Pilot.

All day I've been thinking of the families back in Annapolis today as a new class of 'midshipmen' are welcomed into USNA as the Class of 2013!! Remembering back 5 years ago when I was in Annapolis, I-Day is quite a transition and the beginning of a very unique journey....

During my son's "4 years by the Bay", I had the opportunity to visit numerous times. Many times I took my sketchbook with the intention to sketch, but I was too shy and intimidated to try to sketch on my trip. Instead, I returned home with lots and lots of photos of the wonderful architecture. However, I still find the Architecture intimidating to try to sketch. In the spirit of this being "I-Day" I'm posting an image that I did sketch back in the spring of 2007. This is Bancroft Hall which is one of the largest dormitories in the world, and it is the home to all 4000+ students. The building is fondly referred to as "Mother B" by the midshipmen, and it contains some 1,700 rooms and 4.8 miles of corridors. The architecture is Beaux-Arts. Each time I visited I was fascinated by the architecture and I enjoyed looking at the decorations on the sides of Bancroft Hall. In keeping with the Navy, the building is adorned with the bows of ships and wreaths.