Use it up,
wear it out,
make it do,
or do without.
There are lots of reasons for recycling. When it comes to buildings, historical significance and economics come to the forefront. I saw several examples during a recent visit to my once hometown. A one-time movie theater is now a coffee shop/bakery/bookstore that combines the best of all three missions while preserving the projection booth and screen. I can imagine weekend screenings of art films drawing customers in. Will they offer wine?
The former Post Office is now a municipal office building. They allowed us in to view the mural by Frank W. Long. I, like probably most Americans, had always thought these examples of public art had been sponsored by the WPA (Works Progress Administration), a depression-era, put-people-to-work program. It was instead sponsored by a different Federal program, the Treasury Department's Section of Fine Arts. Frank Long, a native of Berea, KY, painted nineteen of these public works of art. This example, titled "The Rural Free Delivery," was painted in 1939. While I applaud the recycling of this building, I do think it's a shame one has to know to ask to see the mural. A small reconfiguration of the lobby could once again make it "public art."
The old Rowan County Courthouse, built in 1899, was replaced by a new one in 1981. After considerable study and public support, the old courthouse was designated an arts center. It now houses a theater, an art gallery, and studios where artists can work and teach. When it was still a courthouse it was the site of one of our family legends. My grandfather was Sheriff of Rowan County in the 1930s, and served as bailiff of the criminal court. In a case involving theft of a horse, the defense counsel apparently demanded that the "stolen" horse be produced. The judge directed my grandfather to bring the horse to court. While I really don't know his motive, I think I understand why he did what he did. He located the horse, and rather than delivering it to the courthouse steps, chose to ride it up the steps, into the courthouse, up a flight of stairs to the second-floor courtroom, and into the court. The defendant was convicted, but they had to blindfold the horse to lead it back down the stairs and out of the building. I like to think I would have done the same thing.
One of the many copies of E.M. Viquesney's "Spirit of the American Doughboy" stands in front of the old courthouse. The statue was erected in 1929 atop a monument to WWI soldiers that had been placed there in 1919. But even it has been recycled. Once a monument to those who served in the first World War, it now stands as the focal point of a memorial to all soldiers from Rowan County who have lost their lives in that and subsequent conflicts. The most recent victim honored, Edward T. Earhart, was killed during the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
Use it up,
wear it out,
make it do,
or do without.
How interesting to read about 'recycled ' buildings. The big Victorian church in our village needs too much money spent on it to keep it going as a church ( we already have another small one!). Rather than let it fall to pieces we have formed a group who are turning it into a community hall, which we don't have in the village. The part up by the alter will remain consecrated, so weddings, carol services and harvest festivals can still be held there but we are working very hard to make it a place where many village events can happen, for the good of the whole community. I hope to write a proper post about it sometime in the future! Best wishes, Jane
ReplyDeleteGood for you and your group, Jane! I hate to see fine old buildings turn to ruins, and a community hall is a very fitting new beginning for an old church. Good luck with your project, and I look forward to reading your post on it. Jim
ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank you for your entry about my father, Frank Long's mural in what was once the post office. It is too bad as you say that people have to know how to get to these murals today. It is encouraging though, that the towns where these treasures reside are very proud of them and seek to preserve them. petruncio@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteGlad Rowan County kept and repurposed the old courthouse, so often those beauties were thoughtlessly demolished when they were replaced by barren modern rectangles.
ReplyDeleteGlad Rowan County kept and repurposed the old courthouse, so often those beauties were thoughtlessly demolished when they were replaced by barren modern rectangles.
ReplyDelete