The Legacy of Tapestry Bricks at The Truitt House

When George Truitt set out to build the Truitt House, he spared no expense, opting for only the finest materials available. Among those were Tapestry Bricks—each stamped with the trademark of Fiske & Company, a testament to Truitt's commitment to quality.

Historic Tapestry Bricks at The Truitt House

Today, the tapestry bricks of the Truitt House stand as a proud reminder of a time when quality was paramount, and no detail was overlooked.When we hear "Tapestry brick," our minds often conjure images of colorful and textured bricks from the early 20th century. We see them as a unique feature of universities, commercial buildings, and fine homes across the United States—each brick with its own story to tell.

“Tapestry Brick” is actually a brand name, like Kleenex? This specific type of brickwork was developed by Fiske & Company of Boston and New York and prominently advertised in their 1913 catalog. Fiske boldly declared, "If it isn’t a Fiske Brick, it isn’t a ‘Tapestry,’ and if it isn’t a ‘Tapestry’ brick, it isn’t the best."

Fiske’s Tapestry Bricks were hard-fired, crafted from natural clays, not colorants, and were said to be a modern homage to the bricks used in the ancient Baths of Titus. They came in various sizes—8” x 2¼” x 3¾”, 12” x 2½” x 4”, and the grand Roman brick at 18” x 2” x 6.” Each brick bore the distinctive “TRADEMARK” and “REG PAT OFF” stamps, underscoring the uniqueness and quality of Fiske’s products. Yet, over time, "Tapestry brick" became a generic term, often used to describe rough-faced bricks with vertical scratches, rug textures, or wire-cut surfaces. As popular as the term became, Fiske wanted the world to know: only their bricks were the real deal.

However, over the decades, the once-proud brick walls which surround the Truitt House property had fallen into extreme disrepair. Preserving their historic character became a labor of love for the current owners, who scavenged the property in search of bricks buried long ago that matched the original Fiske Tapestry Bricks.

A skilled brick mason was brought in, spending three weeks meticulously reconstructing large sections of the wall. Each brick was carefully placed, a modern homage to the craftsmanship and attention to detail that George Truitt valued so deeply.

Tapestry Bricks do more than just comprise the property’s garden walls; they connect us to a bygone era of architectural excellence and artistry.

The next time you pass by a building adorned with these distinctive bricks, take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship, the history, and the stories they hold. The Tapestry Brick is not just a building material; it’s a piece of a much larger narrative—a narrative of quality, heritage, and enduring beauty.