Local Video News

Local Headlines

2012YearPhotos

(Updated) Demolition of Pop Culture House begins PDF Print E-mail
Written by By HAROLD BROWN/Sentinel-Tribune   
Friday, 10 August 2012 07:35
Demolished_pop_Culture_rotator.9147
Crews knock down BGSU Popular Culture House this morning. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)
(Updated 10:39 am, 08-10-12)
Crews began knocking down the walls of the Bowling Green State University Popular Culture House at 7 this morning.
Starting on the west end of the building, a large mechanical claw made short work of the structure. By 7:20 nearly half of the portion of the house facing Wooster Street was rubble. A short while later the cleanup began.
About a half-dozen people, including  BGSU officials, a BGSU police officer and members of the press witnessed the initial demolition.
Sprinkles were falling as the work began and turned into a steady drizzle by 7:30.
“We were ahead of schedule with the preparations and got the permits late Thursday from the city,” BGSU  spokesperson Dave Kielmeyer said as he stood on the north side of Wooster Street watching the work. The city requires a demolition permit to insure that all utilities have been disconnected to help insure the safety of the work.
BGSU officials earlier indicated the demolition would begin Monday but decided not to wait through the weekend.
The work is being done by the same firm that is demolishing the Central Administration Building on South Grove Street, Kielmeyer said.
The structure was a Montgomery Ward kit house done on a Sears design. It was built in 1932 as a private residence and purchased a few years later by the university. Four BGSU presidents resided there, before it became the headquarters for the university’s alumni association and then the Popular Culture House.
pop_culture_Demo_Story
Steve Krakoff, associate vice president of capital planning  at BGSU, said several items from the structure had been salvaged and placed in storage. Among those items are leaded glass windows, a banister, the front door, the large “S” that decorated the chimney on the front of the house, period light fixtures, door knobs, corner cabinets, a canopy that was over the back door and the wooden beams from the front of the house.
Kielmeyer said staff walked through the building with faculty members to help determine which items to salvage.
It has not been determined what will be done with the salvaged items.
Fencing was put in place Thursday to secure the site.
Since news of the planned demolition was published July 21 in the Sentinel-Tribune, groups and individuals mounted efforts to convince BGSU officials to change their plans or at least delay the work to determine if the house could be moved.
Social media was employed to gather interest and support, with some claiming more than 2,000 supporters to stop the process. There was also a demonstration at the 838 E. Wooster Street property. A group spent more than hour at Monday night’s Bowling Green City Council meeting trying to convince city officials to take a stand or intervene.
The university has indicated the site, along with two adjacent lots cleared earlier this summer, is its primary location for a new student health center. BGSU is in talks with Wood County Hospital to develop the project.
Last Updated on Friday, 10 August 2012 10:57
 

Comments  

 
# 2012-08-10 08:19
Oh, thank God.... Now we can stop hearing about what a prize that old dump was.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:29
hmmmm what's next on the list? The Windmill?
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:31
What a well-preserved and beautiful building it was. With renovations as recently as last summer, it was a comfortable and picturesque part of campus. Builders, architects, historians, and BGSU staff all contacted BGSU President Mazey to correct the "old dump" misconception. This is a huge loss for the school and especially for Dr. Mazey. Her credibility was destroyed along with the house. I wonder what Scott's credentials for building appraisal are? This building was solid, as determined by experts who appraise for a living. It was made with materials far superior to those used in construction today. What a terrible thing BGSU did today. For shame.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 21:54
The University sent out an email showing the inspection sheet on why it was being torn down. Is that good enough? Oh, and as an employee, I've been in it. It was a dump.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-11 13:21
Scott, as an employee who has also been in it, I can refute the notion that it was "a dump". The House was in much better shape than Hanna, University, South, West, Moseley, and a number of other buildings on campus. Any one can walk through those buildings and see the terrible shape they're in. Also the "inspection sheet" you mention was a map with the buildings coded by condition with no notes or explanations. Are they going to demolish the stadium, the ice arena, Harshman, the library, Kohl, Hanna, Anderson, McDonald, University, Math Sciences, Williams, Wooster, Moseley and so on? These buildings were also listed in poor condition, many of which are in more visible states of deterioration and disrepair than the PopC house was. I guess if the report says we have to demolish one, we have to demolish them all!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:44
AMEN !!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 15:14
Awww, you poor thing. You've certainly suffered. Those of us that loved the building should really take a moment to think about your inconvenience. It must be so hard for you to see others treasure things.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 15:30
You treasured it? For how long? Yet again I ask, why didn't someone take the time to properly register this masterpiece??? It was the home of a department that studies, catalogs and preserves culture, yet no one took the time to do it!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 22:04
Someone DID try to register it back in 1985, someone correct that year if it is wrong. The owner had to sign off on it and the owner was the university and they REFUSED to sign . That should have sent up a red flag then.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-11 18:07
The Secretary of the Interior designates national historic landmarks. The Secretary cannot designate something a landmark if the property owner (BGSU in this case) does not agree.

Additionally, national landmark status DOES NOT prevent a structure from being demolished. The property owners still can do whatever they want (as long as they are not receiving federal funding for it).

HOWEVER state laws and local ordinances can protect threatened structures. These ordinances can be strong enough where the local govt can block a demolition--regardless of what the owner wants. This is what Bowling Green needed on the books to save the PopC house.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-11 18:42
Scott, why don't you go get a job where your lack of appreciation for cultural heritage won't be such a burden to you? People who look at something displaying its age and perhaps intentional neglect and only see "a dump," are the reason more landmark structures aren't appreciated and saved. You're welcome to your opinion, of course, but in fact it wasn't a dump so your opinion is just ill-informed and counter-productive and just plays into the hands of an insensitive administration.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 09:54
Sweet. Going to play some Talking Heads "Burning Down the House"!!!!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 11:29
ROCK ON!!!!!!!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:57
Now that's the right attitude ! Good song also !
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 22:28
Yeah, I thought they were going to use this for fire training? Never know when a kit home will go up in flames.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-11 09:48
I heard that kit homes are hard to burn because of the dense wood they contain (which is no longer available for modern construction). I wonder if that's why they switched gears? Seems sad that it was such a nice place that it couldn't even burn, and now they destroyed it. I guess the fire dept will have to practice on some of the crappier, newer buildings in town?
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 11:04
I hope the University is a bit more progressive in discussing the other changes to campus, which Krakoff and capital planning have planned over the next couple of decades. The plans are already a matter of public record, and the rights of the University to do what it pleases are not in question. But how many times, with far greater impact, is the same thing going to play-out? Will it be the same when entire dorms, and swaths of campus are due to come down? Will only one path ever be explored? Yeah. Most likely. The time to debate things is now, because it will take years to change the direction of things. A few weeks, even a couple of years ahead of time, won't do.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 11:20
Shame on BGSU. What a disappointment that they wouldn't even discuss alternatives. For those of you above that are celebrating this demolition, I urge you to consider other important American landmarks and how you may feel if they were demolished. Make no mistake, this was an important large scale artifact of American history. Did you read the extensive history of the building? Architects and historians across the country and around the world have been desperately trying to speak to BGSU President Mazey to save the structure, but she didn't return their calls and letters. For an administration of higher education to ignore experts is a real crime. If the opinions of experts is to be ignored, then why teach at all? What is to be valued if not the opinions of the people who love your institution most?
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:20
I actually got a little tear in my eye.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 15:26
Yes, BGSU72, that is a valid and appropriate response to this betrayal. Thank you.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 12:05
Virgil Taylor built this house in 1932; he built it with his father, Jasper Taylor. Jasper was Wood. Co. Treasurer and Virgil worked for the Sentinel Tribune. This “kit house” was delivered to the BG train depot in 1931, moved to Jasper’s front yard at 128 N Church, then moved again to 838 E Wooster. The house arrived in 12,000+ pieces, with 750lbs. of nails (!), and a massive instruction book. Jasper and Virgil's living ancestors still reside in BG. This house was historic for many reasons, not the least of which is because it was BG history that now can never be replaced. To oversimplify this issue, as it was, and say BGSU can do what it wants, denigrates the history of BG, my hometown. The house was literally one of a kind- there are no other homes in the nation like this one. BG had the only example of a home like this in the world.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:19
Wow! Who knew? And to think, countless pop culture historians and students passed through the doors of that house for decades and not one person tool the time to register it as a historic site. Lesson Learned.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 15:33
They were probably too busy fawning over a collection of lunchboxes to notice they were in the amazing historic home.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:26
I'm confused. If this amazing world renowned structure was so awe inspiring and important ... then why in the 60 or so years that the University owned it did no one take steps to preserve this national treasure?

Sorry, but people who are so pro-preservation need to stop being reactionary and start being proactive. Learn a lesson from the nature lovers who have put their money where their mouths are, with actions like the Wood County Conservancy.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 15:32
BGSU72 & John: The building was eligible for the National Registry. An application was completed in the early 1990's, but a previous administration failed to follow through. The Registry process was restarted the day demolition was announced, and was still in process as bulldozers plowed through the building. Thank you both for bringing up these important points regarding being proactive for preservation. Please call the office of BGSU president Mary Ellen Mazey to inquire about a City ordinance for historic preservation. I'll call too and give you credit for the idea. GREAT work, you two!!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 22:26
The early 90s? That was 4 administrations ago! Seriously no one did a single thing proactive to register this building. It's all you last minute cry babies coming out of the woodwork, get a clue.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-11 09:36
Oh, Suzy. Even if it had been registered, they still could have demolished it. Sadly, even the National Registry can't stop an institution bent on destroying itself. Did you know that representatives from the Registry tried to contact BGSU on behalf of preservation? Kudos to you for encouraging people to continue research. I know that in your unending efforts to pursue clues, you will see for yourself the history of this -- now destroyed -- landmark. Please do keep encouraging people to research and preserve beautiful, easily movable, historic places that attain international interest. Please let us know what other historic preservation projects you're pursuing, and maybe we can help.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 16:51
John and BGSU72 - Your comments show your ignorance. There were attempts to register the house as a historic landmark. However, the university refused to approve of the nomination, which was necessary.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 22:27
When did they refuse? Which administration? How many times?
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 17:29
I agree, and I've been criticized for my controversial viewpoint, but it bears repeating: do not take for granted that things will stay the same.

Change happens. Nothing is permanent. The concern for preserving this and other "historical" buildings should have been researched long before an announcement was made about a building's fate. By the time it's decided, it is too late.

Sorry if this upsets some people, but maybe the lesson here is to learn to appreciate what we have when we have it, take good care of it, and prepare for the future while we have time (not wait until the last moment and hope for a miracle).

It surprises me that a building so rare that there is (was)only one of its kind in the entire USA was off the radar of Kit Home Preservationist s all this time. Perhaps better research is needed.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:56
There a many "Kit Homes" in Bowling Green. Some one sold this house to BGSU, so blame them, not BGSU. The University is a separate entity from the City of Bowling Green. If you are a true Alumni then go to the Alumni Center for help, and by the way, that building is rather new also! If you all haters of progress want BGSU to thrive, some of these old, outdated buildings HAVE to either be renovated, or rebuilt in order to acommadate today's technology and attractive to the students of today & the future. Do you send your child to a little red school house? Or an old Hospital, do you drive an 1900 car? Don't think so. As for the Pop Culture House, IT IS THE CONTENTS that make it what it is !
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 17:01
Jack, do you know how many kit homes were sold by Montgomery Ward but emulated a Sears design? According to experts, less than five. And that's exactly what this house was. It may have been a kit home, but it was a unique, irreplaceable piece of Americana.
Material culture makes meaning in our lives. Sorry to say this, but you don't get to decide how people make use artifacts to make meaning. The building was far more than its contents. That is why we create monuments and have historic buildings.
This perceived "progress" is not necessarily positive. All change is not good. The survival of BGSU, its future and its ability to attract new students is not contingent on the destruction of its past. That is a terrible, and misinformed argument to make.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 17:30
Exactly. Nobody complained when they updated the hospital. If anything, they cheered.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-11 09:55
Good point, JB. I think it's because people have a good sense of when things need to be updated & changed, and when things need to be preserved. The hospital is a perfect example. It needed to be updated, and therefore did not cause a stir. Same goes for the old JH and CA buildings. Those buildings were vacant albatrosses, and therefore there was no uproar. The pop culture house, on the other hand, was a well-preserved, important piece of American history. There were TONS of options for moving it that would have cost BGSU nothing. Even so, many people offered to donate money to have it moved. Experts in architecture and home appraisal called and wrote in from across the globe to save the house in our little ol' town. You talk a lot about accepting change, JB. Guess what? We do. But you have to know when things are worth saving.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:14
To quote a kit home historian: "Kit home historians and aficionados across the US are in shock right now. How can anyone destroy what appears to be one of the rarest of homes known? The culmination of THREE of the major kit home companies is gone forever. Sears, Wardway and Gordon Van Tine." What a disgusting abuse of power on the part of Mary Ellen Mazey and BGSU. At how many cocktail parties and fundraisers will she be forced to explain this over and over again? This was wrong, plain and simple.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 15:29
Pretty sure the people at the cocktail parties and fundraisers are going to spend more time complementing her on the new student health center and partnership with the local hospital, then worrying about this dump.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 20:07
I can't wait to find out. The health center could have gone on the lot even if the building had been preserved. Yes, professional appraisers deemed it sturdy enough to be moved, and there was a fundraising effort in the works. People who care enough to donate to BGSU surely care about its history as well. We all live with the consequences of our decisions. Time will determine Mazey's legacy.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 14:48
New Dorms & other builds are already being design & schedule to remove & replace. The original College is being renovated, and save. People, this is way past due.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 16:12
Still waiting for a reply to my email of last week. No reason left to support the current administration of BGSU.
Guess the university does not need my paltry hundreds of dollars since they have multi-tens of millions to spend on new construction and destruction.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 18:02
na na na na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 22:03
I see that you are living up to your psuedonym there, "heel"! Many condolences to those who are affected by this sad event, especially those who put so much effort into educating all of us about this precious piece of our own local history. I know that Virgil's relatives appreciate you all. It's truly the mark of a civilized person who appreciates history and the arts. How difficult it must be not to be enlightened and made a better person through education. We must only feel pity for those who speak with such coarse derision. "This, too shall pass", and so will they. I, for one, can't wait.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 19:12
You all are nuts!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-10 22:10
Kit home historians and aficionados across the US are in shock right now. How can anyone destroy what appears to be one of the rarest of kit homes known? The culmination of THREE of the major kit home companies is gone forever. Sears, Wardway and Gordon Van Tine......that didn't happen often.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-13 08:40
How? Pretty easy actually you just get a back hoe and a fire hose ...
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-13 13:47
I detect that some of the responders to this story--John, BGSU72, Suzy, possibly P-Burger--are gloating over this event. You enjoy, you relish seeing people you do not agree with frustrated and hurt, and you seem to be rejoicing in the destruction of this building. Why? Because it is symbol for BGSU's Department of Popular Culture, which you would also like to have seen destroyed but are frustrated it hasn't been. Such fine, upstanding characters you are.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-14 08:17
Thank you!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
# 2012-08-15 11:01
And another thank you ... I'm guessing those folks actually work for the current administration and they are just trying to keep their jobs. It is truly sad when a university's administration is judged purely by the amount of 'new' buildings it can create. I guessing Dr. Mazey has already chosen her outfit for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 

Add comment

NOTE: Comments are moderated. Comments have a 800 character limit! Comments are not posted until reviewed by Sentinel staff. Depending on the time of day you submit comments there may be a delay in posting to the website. If you see a comment that you think needs our attention, please e-mail hbrown@sentinel-tribune.com.


Front Page Stories

Walbridge picks council member
05/23/2013 | DEBBIE ROGERS Sentinel Staff Writer
article thumbnail

WALBRIDGE - The village's new councilwoman, who is a single mom of twin 8-year-old gir [ ... ]


+ Full Story
 BG redistricting lines blurred
05/22/2013 | MARIE THOMAS BAIRD Sentinel Education Editor
article thumbnail

A map shows the proposed boundaries for the 2013-2014 school year.
The Bowling G [ ... ]


+ Full Story
Other Front Page Articles
Sentinel-Tribune Copyright 2010