.... An' even den, yuh wouldn't know it all."  —Thomas Wolfe,  1935
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/7/2009 12:13:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

The  Thomas Wolfe Memorial, a state historic site in Asheville, poses an  
interesting example. It suffered a catastrophic fire, believed to be arson, 
in  1998. The restoration was exacting and exhausting.
Ummm.... on a society-wide level, perhaps ... a total waste of money?   I 
mean, Thomas Wolfe?  How many writers in the United States do we have of  the 
stature (or presumed significance) of Thomas Wolfe?  Say ... 500?   More?  
Not to mention philosophers, right wing talk show hosts, inventors,  sex 
pioneers, etc.   Is it really worth it to self-insure say,  20,000 buildings, 
for a total rebuild in case of flood, fire or Palin  presidency?   George 
Washington - OK.  Jefferson - OK.   Frederick Douglass - yup.   But even those 
are close.  After  reconstruction, the thing being presented is not the 
thing itself, it is only  our perception of the thing, materialized.  And, 
anyway, did that  physical thing, original or reconstructed, really have an 
effect on the person  in question?   If Wolfe had grown up in a Queen Anne 
instead of a  raised ranch, in Beaux-Arts instead of moderner - or whatever - 
would that  have changed his output?  If not, then it is of what value, exactly, 
in  terms of understanding his work? I would rather stand on the ruins.  
 
"You shall not make for yourself a graven image..."

I think  that is as it should be with regard to the house itself; interpret 
the fire in  the modern visitor center 
<http://www.wolfememorial.com/center.html>.  

Or better yet, burn down the visitor center.
Good God, man, have you gone mad?   Leave the visitor  center, since it has 
the gift shop. Burn down the replica. 
 
Good working title for revisionist history of American historic  
preservation:  "Burn Down The Visitor  Center".     Will cross-post to Presevation-L,  
Conservation-L, Pyrate-L, Go-To-LL, etc.  
 
c

 

--
**Please remember to trim posts, as requested in the Terms of Service**

To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>