Just riding around on our bikes Saturday looking at the grounds and the old J building got me musing on why states and cities and countries save certain things and not others. Why are so few decisions made from an aesthetic and common-sense base? Why let something beautiful rot when you have the resources to save it?
So no whys–just that there are moments of interest and beauty even in unlikely places.
On The Way 
As synchronicity would have it, I drove up Center Street past the same spot last week on my way north (I don’t usually go that way). Despite all of the bad vibes associated with those old buildings (and the heavy bars on the beautiful and long narrow windows do have a Halloween feel), I thought similar thoughts as those you expressed. The essence of those buildings over there is graceful. The challenge is to disconnect the generations of terrible, ignorant, unfeeling institutionalization from the quiet, stately grounds. Almost like there is a black hole there that oozes out and gulps down any good will (or gesture of financial foresight) that is expressed. There is probably something to be written and explored about institutional buildings and how their accumulated karma affects their future. I think of this everytime I am in a McMenamins (Grand Lodge, Kennedy School, Edgefield).
There is a big push on now in certain camps of the legislature to take on a total rebuilding effort out there, which is probably needed, but will probably spell the end for the J-Building. I can think of at least one legislator who would probably swing the first wrecking ball at that building…
Thanks for sharing the photos.
You’ve got to get word out to your pals and family about this blog. It’s very cool.
You are the best teacher ever.