Hello again everyone.
Today’s blog post is more of a question for you all than any sort of informative talk. So here it goes… with a little background.
As you may recall, back on June 7th, I had written a quick post asking you guys to vote in the This Place Matters Community Challenge. Well, the challenge is over now and a winner has been declared.
A winner very near and dear to my heart actually: The Breakers which is run by the Preservation Society of Newport County. It is one of the most, if not the most, visited house museums in this country, and one that I got a chance to learn in as part of my Preservation education. But I have a bit of a dilemma, and that dilemma is… as a preservationist, should I be glad that a building so well-known as the Breakers that draws thousands of visitors a year from around the world got the money? After all, the Preservation Society of Newport County has several mansions to maintain and operate, and it isn’t getting any less expensive. Or, should I feel like that money would have done a lot more good somewhere else? For example… one of the lesser-known properties that the money might have saved from demolition or restored so that it will last longer? (I’m fairly certain the Breakers isn’t in danger of being bulldozed soon, and if it were, I’d be in line to chain myself to its massive gates!).
So… since I have yet to come up with a satisfactory answer on my own, I’m polling you guys. Feel free to answer “other” and give a more in depth opinion.
-Etta
I love the Breakers, and I’m glad it receives the love and attention it deserves, but I too feel that money should awarded to a more nascent preservation project. What I like about the “This Place Matters” campaign is that it generally draws attention to places that might otherwise be under the radar and under appreciated. Unfortunately we cannot fund every project!
Too true Lizzie! Thanks for commenting.
I am glad they have decided to have a behind the scenes tour at the mansion. I would like to see that trend copied across the US. I must say “this tourist attraction place that matters” reminds me of the issue we had in NC, when the Mayberry Jail, from the reknowned Andy Griffith Show set, received a face lift over several other NC needy historic structures from Hampton Hotels http://www.hamptonlandmarks.com/
That does seem like a similar situation Lucy.
The behind the scenes tour at the Breakers is great, but my favorite behind the scenes tour in Newport is totally at the Elms. If your up this way again you should check it out! Behind the scenes tours are the best.
Looking into doing some Memorial Day work at that house in the water infront of Newport next year!! Interested?? Then we will def spend some time in the area. My fiancees parents both went to URI!
I think I speak for both my husband and I when I say we are interested! Let’s make a plan.