| Efforts fail to save pop culture house |
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| Written by HAROLD BROWN Sentinel City Editor | ||
| Wednesday, 01 August 2012 10:00 | ||
The effort failed. “At this point the university plans to proceed as planned,” BGSU spokesperson Dave Kielmeyer said this morning. He said there is no definite date for demolition to begin but sometime the week of Aug. 13 seems likely. Demolition is expected to cost $25,000 to $30,000. The group ranged in age from children to senior citizens, many carrying signs and chanting “Save this house.” One sign encouraged passing motorists to honk their horns in support of the cause. Many motorists obliged. Built as a private residence by Virgil Taylor in the early 1930s, BGSU used the house as a home for four presidents from 1937 to 1963. The house was then used by the BGSU Alumni Association, before being turned into the headquarters for the university’s now internationally known Popular Culture Department. Erin Holmberg, whose late father taught in the department in the 1980s and 1990s, said the planned demolition has attracted the attention of preservationists, along with local residents, alumni and students. “If 1,800 people are asking me not to do something, I would give (it) careful consideration, especially with the number of alumni involved,” Holmberg said. She was referring to an online petition to get the university to reconsider or at least provide time to arrange to have the structure moved. She took issue with the university’s desire to get the structure out of the way before classes start in late August “so as not to disrupt classes.” Holmberg said several groups dedicated to preserving kit homes across the United States have gotten involved. One kit home expert, Mary Thornton, has written several blogs and done a lot of research on the background of the home, she said. The research indicates the kit home is modeled after a Sears design but was manufactured by Montgomery Ward, at the request of Taylor. A 1932 Bowling Green city directory lists Taylor as residing at 838 E. Wooster St. and his occupation as advertising director of the Sentinel-Tribune. In her blog Thornton writes that Taylor lost the home in foreclosure a few years later to Montgomery Ward and that BGSU later became the owner. The university announced plans to demolish the structure about two weeks ago. The Popular Culture Department is in the process of being relocated to Shatzel Hall, a move which has been planned for a period of time. Michael Wiatrowski, a graduate assistant intern in popular culture planning to graduate Saturday, said he has been amazed at how the cause has attracted attention. “People all over the country have weighed in on helping to save our town’s heritage. I thought it might be a little story but it has turned into a big thing.” Wiatrowski doesn’t believe they have been able to change the administration’s mind. He plans to stay in BG and work on an master of business administration degree. BGSU officials have said the site is being considered as a location for a new health center. The lot, along with two adjacent lots cleared of buildings earlier this summer are the likely location for the center. Although there were no uniformed officers were on the demonstration site Tuesday, the event was observed by BGSU Police in an unmarked car in a shady parking space in a lot across Wooster Street near Hanna Hall.
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 02 August 2012 09:28 |
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Comments
The University gets what the University wants. It's like the movie Animal House, but in reverse.
University administrators are supposed to be the stewards of the institution, who work with the community to achieve the mission of the school. They are not supposed to be despotic rulers who issue decrees and wipe out institutional memory to further their on selfish career agendas.
It would be nice if they could at least relocate the house and preserve it elsewhere, if they really need the land for another project.
Ultimately it is not even the loss of this house that worries me. It is the longer term cycle of tearing seemingly everything down.
This line of reasoning never ceases to amaze. Property entrusted to a public institution is declared "awful condition" and a new one must be awarded to the same care takers. To top it off no inquiry is made into why the building wasn't maintained or what happened to the money allocated for it's up keep.
Another green space? Where do you people think you are, New York city? We have green spaces everywhere.
Can't see all the green spaces because of all the grass and trees in town, SURROUNDED by corn fields 5 minutes in any direction. :)
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