The Hideous Part - 2004-10-07 09:47:32
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Robber baron Andrew Carnegie provided money for thousands of public library across the US and Scotland in the late 1800 and early 1900s. All of them were quite beautiful. For more, go here .* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 10:55:35
I never really looked at his bio but it turns out, thanks to your link, that he's quite the interesting person. The links don't say much about the robber baron part--I'm curious to know more about that.
Carnegie quote: "This then is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: first, to set an example of unostentatious living, shunning display, to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and, after doing so, to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds which he is strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment,is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community."
I coulda sworn it was pronounced "CAR-nuggie" but NPR has a fixation on saying "car-NEG-gie foundation" which I think sounds ridiculous and is mildly irritating. * * * * * * * * * * * * tom - 2004-10-07 11:34:54
Andrew Carnegie was a Scot, and pronounced it car-NAY-gee. He owned steel mills and was a rather rapacious industrialist, hence "robber baron", which was/is a term applied to Carnegie, Rockefeller, Gould, and that ilk. To his credit, however, he funded all those libraries and countless charities and I think gave away most of his money near the end of his life. As you say, an interesting person.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 11:38:27
Oops. I guess I was wrong about the pronunciation. I've heard it both ways, but thanks for the info tom. * * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-10-07 13:28:19
Yes, it's pretty funny in Pittsburgh because you have the "Car-NAY-gie" library just over a bridge from "Car-NUH-gie"-Mellon University. My understanding (admittedly from my high school history class) is that he TRIED to spend all of his money before he died -- he believed that willing it after you've died is as bad as taking it to the grave -- but that his fortune was so vast that it grew faster than he could give it away and he died quite a wealthy man.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-10-07 13:29:52
Oh, yeah, I mistyped that a bit -- it's not Car-NUH-gee-Mellon, it's CAR-nuh-gee-Mellon. But you get the picture. Oh, and I'll be interested in what you learn about the Frieze Building. The old school of social work (attached at the back) has always been hideous, but I always thought the Frieze building was gracious, if a bit down on its luck.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna again, again - 2004-10-07 13:31:22
Oh, and I thought that the Frieze Building had "Ann Arbor High School" or something like that etched in its facade. I don't remember ever hearing that it was a library.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 13:34:25
Yes, I heard on the radio (this story was also in the Free Press--it was everywhere!) that it used to be the Ann Arbor High School--I was surprised. Never knew. * * * * * * * * * * * * Anna again again again - 2004-10-07 13:38:51
Oh no... the article says that the Trueblood theater will be demolished. That's right in the front lobby of the pretty building, which must be what they're getting rid of.
I can't imagine where the library is.
What a shame that they'll be destroying the building. I've been in there not that long ago. They could renovate it. They just don't want to.* * * * * * * * * * * * WHAT?! (Laura) - 2004-10-07 13:41:53
How did I overlook that part? That's one of the most beautiful buildings on campus! How come there's never enough cash for renovating something of real architectural value, but always enough to demolish and build some new featureless box?* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-07 14:41:08
What fun it'll be to motor out to North Campus for theater large and small in the new place. Perhaps the sidewalks and streets of Ann Arbor won't be so clogged and the restaurants not so busy.
Frieze shows character. What fun I've had hauling theater stuff up outside fire escapes. What interesting shows have played there. A woman with whom I studied and acted made a thrilling display of her breasts there in the 80s when she worked on her PhD. A+
New buildings seem to follow the trend in architecture of nothing-and-nowhere-in-particular to achieve style. None of this looking backward. Instead, look everywhere and let eclectic blandness prevail.
Breaks between classes and intermissions from the theater in the Frieze Building provided classic opportunities for restful community.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-07 14:45:59
i've been rebuilding a shed this morning. i'm beat. ...i meant to say restful community* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 14:47:38
I've seen Basement Arts student productions there. And used to have classes there ages ago. And...I don't want it to be stripped from my walk down State Street.
There was some chick talking about it on the radio who said, "and the floor is all bubbly, so, who knows what's under it." Sounds like a thorough assessment to me. Bubbly floors were there when *I* was there in the mid-late 80s--really, I remember the bubbly floors. "Bubbly floors" don't mean "destroy the past."* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 14:48:43
Hmm...sorry to say, Raymond, but the links aren't working (I'm dying to see the restful community!)* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-07 15:04:37
fixed the second one* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 15:06:51
(laughs) ah, lovely, thank you for that charming scene. :) * * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-10-07 15:09:40
I, too, had a class there years ago (probably 1991). I sort of liked the bubbly floors. Seriously, though -- what architectual gem could the article be referring to? There isn't anything right next door, unless it's around the corner on Huron? HOw quickly we forget).
I wonder why they didn't feel that they could at least do what they did with the former E. Engineering building (now East Hall) -- they left the exterior, but gutted it and built a modern building inside. That building was in at least as bad -- if not 100xs worse -- condition. I remember classes with pigeons flying around, creaky, filthy floors, way too much heat, broken windows, etc.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 15:16:13
I sort of liked the bubbly floors too, damn it. We've become a nation of mindless conformists, that's the problem. Everything has to be ruler-straight and bland without the slightest deviation, and cultureless drones just can't abide the thought, much less existence, of bubbly floors--so tear down the Frieze. (fumes!)
My own floor at home is not bubbly but it is creaky. Guess I'll rip down my house as soon as I can get my hands on a...one of those big claw-machines.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura, on second thought - 2004-10-07 15:37:21
(remembers Raymond's wonderful field-trip water-tower photo that solved the mystery of an old photo) Raymond, now, you didn't make a special trip, I hope, in order to share with us that beguiling shot of the Urinals of Frieze. If so, we are indebted to you--thank you, Raymond.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-07 18:25:59
I've collected a few mensrooms pictures. 50? 60? Sometimes it's difficult to catch the places without people. I showed a repeating CD slideshow of some at the 555 Gallery Ypsi closing. I have only one with people which I showed in NYC last year. Oh, and another one with one person, me, which is in the Mirror Project.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 18:29:26
The closing sounds as though it was interesting. They're at 4884 Grand River Ave. in Detroit now. * * * * * * * * * * * * To: [email protected] - 2004-10-07 20:45:05
Dear Ms. Keller:
Hello, my name is Laura B. I'm a U-M alum who was interested to learn that the Frieze will be torn down. As president of the student group the Residence Halls Association, I imagine you know about it. I realize that, as a student, you must have a very busy schedule, but I wonder if you would please be kind enough to take a moment to answer some questions about the Frieze.
1. Who, precisely, made the decision to tear the Frieze down?
2. Have analyses been done that compare the cost of demolition vs. the cost of rehabbing just the interior (I am thinking about the historic section facing State Street).
Thank you for your attention to these questions. In all fairness I will tell you that I'm posting this note, and your reply, on my blog at http://ypsidixit.diaryland.com, where a lively discussion of this issue is taking place. I hope you can enlighten us.
Yours truly,
Laura B. * * * * * * * * * * * * Eric * - 2004-10-08 01:27:37
I wonder what stood on that ground before the Frieze went up. I'll bet no one mourned for it.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-08 09:04:05
I'd guess nothing did. And for every beautiful building torn down, there are always people who care, as opposed to those who heedlessly destroy the past.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-08 10:45:24
(quietly wonders what Eric * was doing up so late on a work night, but decides it's none of her business).* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-10-08 15:25:33
(wonders if Eric* realizes which logical fallacy he commited)* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura (whispers to Anna) - 2004-10-08 18:53:46
(well, there's a pronoun reference problem, too, but I decided not to say anything).* * * * * * * * * * * * From: [email protected] - 2004-10-09 09:29:45
Laura,
Thank you for your questions regarding the Frieze Building.� I'll be more than happy to respond.
The Frieze Building site was selected by the President after several options were presented for consideration.� Every option offered to the President had extensive research regarding costs, benefits, and challenges, and President Coleman's decision came only after sincere forethought.
You'll be happy to know that the President does include in her plans restoration of the Carnegie Library.� Reading your blog, I noticed that a lot of posters were unaware of the location of the library.� It is actually the 'beautiful part' that you mention and is located (as I have been told) just inside the doors on the Huron St entrance.
Since I, too, was unaware of the library, I intend on doing a bit investigating to determine the exact location.� I'll get back to you when I know for sure.
Be rest assured that students will have an important voice in the construction of this new residence hall.
If you have any further questions regarding President Coleman's decision, please contact the President's Office ([email protected]).
Amy
Amy E. Keller
President, Residence Halls Association
The University of Michigan
734-763-3497 office
734-763-2313 fax
http://www.umich.edu/~rha* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-10-09 13:10:25
Hum. Well-written but unsatisfying answer. Vague (it was chosen because it was the best site). * * * * * * * * * * * * Annarborcrat - 2004-10-09 20:32:26
I remember going into the Ann Arbor Public Library in that building. We entered on Huron and I think went down a few steps to get to the children's department. The library card had one of those metal tags embedded into the cardboard. * * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-10-09 21:49:28
Funny, I was just thinking about my old 1970s library card -- the one I had as a kid -- and thinking about those little metal embedded tags -- yesterday. I'd forgotten all about the old-style cards.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-10 00:49:42
Annarborcrat, you contribute yet another valuable piece of local history with your post--I'd had no idea that that site was once the public library--thank you. I also remember the old-style cards.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-10-10 13:23:58
Annarborcrat confirms the bit about the Carnegie Library -- that's where everyone describes it as being. It is very confusing, though -- it's somehow embedded IN the Frieze building? Curious.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-10 14:05:59
The facade of the Carnegie Library indeed faces Huron Street and was scenic enough in 1911 (and before and after) to rate a postcard.* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment:
