This moment of transition leaves me rather wistful. Things changed quickly on campus in the decades after World War II and this transformation of one of William Ward Watkin’s buildings looks like the end of the old days to me. It wasn’t, really, because it’s never that clean but still it leaves me sad.
The changes of course were badly needed, whether they make me sad or not. This is the addition to the kitchen facilities:
For comparison here’s roughly the same angle in an undated photo that I’d guess to be the mid-1940s just based on the landscaping:
More palm trees, I say!
And just for fun here’s one that stumped me for longer than it should have:
It was the hedge that threw me.
It’s dated 1928 so it was taken before any significant changes, dead on from the side, I think by someone up in the faculty tower in East Hall.
Right? (she said hopefully.)
Bonus: I wish you could have heard how good he sounded.
I too find myself a little sad and wistful when I see photos and read stories about that which was here ere I arrived on the scene. But, I sometimes encounter someone who sees an old photo of mine, or hears a story I tell, and they tell me that they wish they could have been there. So, treasure our own days as much as the past, and be sure to tell the stories. Thank you Melissa for keeping and telling the stories. Their glow warms our souls.
Telling the stories is truly important.
So much of history is NOT in any books –although diaries sometimes also carry the magic.
Tell the stories to your children and grandchildren and encourage them to do the same to their children.
And always listen the the stories of older folks, like me … and John Wolda … and Neil Havens … and Sid Burris … and … and … .
Philip, thank you so much for your kindness.
Thanks for your visit today! That is a 1952 Oldsmobile Super 88 Sedan. You can see the 1952 Oldsmobile brochure here. http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/OLDSMOBILE%201952.html
Bonus: we probably could. The Skyspace is very effective at channeling sound out to the exterior.
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