“We always want to have your input and insights!”
Sometimes we wonder who reads the From the Porch newsletter or if individuals on Facebook just look at the pictures. The answer to these questions came home with a resounding “yes, we do read what you have to say!” Several of the last topics posted dealt with; married furniture at the Dunklin House Museum in Laurens, S.C., the potential influence of the Masonic Rite on architecture, and S.C. opera houses. All three drew responses, proving each was thoroughly read.
It is never Roots and Recall’s intent to upset the apple cart – rather to inspire and offer insights. These three latest posts in some form or fashion did just that. When we pointed out that the beautiful desk and bookcase in the Dunklin House Museum, was a married piece of two handsome sections, from different cabinet shops, we thought our insight would have been a welcome piece of academic information. We viewed the input as a positive and helpful piece of data dealing with the museum’s decorative arts collection. That is the manner in which some received it but others felt Roots and Recall had stomped on their museum’s integrity. Thanks to S.C. preservationist Martin Meek, R&R has been vindicated and we have now opened a new avenue of exciting decorative arts research. Due to that blog post, new information has come to light, not only are there four of the same late 18th century glass flat-back cupboards but now five have been documented. The fifth cupboard and desk also have ties to the Laurens area and the Nabor’s cabinet shop. Two of the five belong to museums, three are in a private S.C. collections. However, all five top glass front sections are virtually identical, clearly having been constructed by the same hands. Three of the five exhibit enhancements to their pediments but otherwise they are all intact.
- Dunklin House Museum
- Friedheim Hall
- Union Opera House
- R&R Update! (Suggest your own threads!)
Besides adding information on the five exact cupboards, the investigation also opened new avenue of discovery dealing with the Nabor Family Cabinet Shop of Laurens County. It appears likely this multi-generational shop was “perhaps” acquiring their top glass front sections from another cabinet maker, what has been termed piecework. R&R can’t wait to revisit the piece at the Dunklin house as well as the location of the fifth desk for a full examination. As the dust settles, we hope those who may have taken offence at our insights are now more welcoming of new and accurate data.
A reader of the story on the influence of the Masons on architecture, informed R&R that he stopped reading the article when he got to that spot. He felt strongly the two houses were simply taken from the same design book and had nothing to do with the Masonic order! His comments were welcomed and we asked that he remember the article is an on going one, that might just offer added insights in a later story-line.
But the post about opera houses, their usage, and designs drew the most comments and input. One reader provided an excellent history of
the Union, S.C. Opera House, which was demolished in ca. 1952, and also provided R&R an historic photograph of the building for sharing. This was the insightful ans sharing response we are always hoping to socialite! The positive manner in which this data was provided; detailed data and images of a piece of nearly forgotten history, was highly rewarding, and we appreciate the user’s excellent research.
In the same light we heard from others who wanted to know why R&R had not mentioned their city’s opera house. But three important items, besides preserving Union’s story, were also outgrowths of the blog. One was a story of a specific theatrical entertainer (added to the appropriate site), another was about the importance of the railroad in transporting these entertainers from town to town, and the third was the discovery of new information on Rock Hill’s opera houses. Until we posted the blog, none of our researchers or writers had a notion, there was an earlier official opera house on Rock Hill’s main street. It predated the Friedheim’s Hall center and was a very formal affair! R&R will provide additional information on this site as research is forthcoming.
Blog posts are a means of communicating information, insights and input to R&R’s members and audience. But this is a two way street! Last weeks responses were a rewarding experience for all parties and so we will continue posting insights where we see they are beneficial. Roots and Recall sincerely hopes you will respond with corrections and historic data worthy of preservation.
Just a parting note that I was warmly received in a government office this week, by a Southern lady, wishing to speak with me following my meeting. She politely informed me of several changes “correctly” needed on the pages of Roots and Recall! She also asked that we reload an image which had once been posted on her family’s homepage. It had disappeared following the hack of 2015 and had simply not been reloaded. I hope we can do justice to her caring and friendly requests, it is individuals of her character who move the process of preservation forward on the pages of R&R forward for all to enjoy! By the way, with whom have you shared Roots and Recall lately?
From the Porch – Blog @ RootsandRecall.com – 2.2.17