A datestone is both a signature, anchoring our surroundings in a way that no other architectural detail can achieve, and a portal, making us pause for a moment to think about the past, and about the places in which we live.
Datestones help us to contextualise our habitat and give it meaning. They evoke the spirit of a place – its genius loci – reminding us of the lives of those who came before and the connections we share; the humble cottage dweller, the proud suburbanite, the devout, the philanthropic, the industrious and the entrepreneurial.
I'm working with author Simon Inglis to celebrate those datestones that survive, but also to act as an inspiration for architects and developers to put dates on their new buildings for the 21st Century.
I’ve been taking pictures of and researching Datestones for what feels like decades. Here I am in Valencia. My family is quite used to me falling behind to take a picture or pulling to the side of the road abruptly if I think I’ve seen a date stone as we drive past. So head to substack to see my research.
