Category Archives: museum anarchist

How Rudolph Schindler’s bathroom changed my life

Schindler House & Studio, West Hollywood, CA,  1921-1922, Bathroom. “I shut the door, locked it, and in silence and intensity just stood there – looking around…when (if ever) have I actually been able to use the authentic bathroom and toilet of an historic house museums? “   Johnston-Felton- Hay House, Macon GA, 1855-1859.  During anContinue reading “How Rudolph Schindler’s bathroom changed my life”

philosophy of old windows

Hello my name is Frank and I love old windows. Franklin Vagnone with Laura Orthwein,  Claire, Emma and Sophia – surrounded by a few of the extensive window sash collection. Photos by Daniel Eller. 2001. I realize most people would see my view of the world as unbearably right brained. But for me, right now,Continue reading “philosophy of old windows”

Upside down & and backward.

Taken from an interview of Franklin Vagnone by ArtFWD Interview Franklin Vagnone on Historic House Museums Breaking the Rules BY KENDRA DANOWSKI, ARTSFWD EDITOR & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR JUNE 25, 2014 0 COMMENTS SHARE How can historic house museums flip the script when connecting with local communities — by working backwards and rejecting traditional practices? This mobile kiosk willContinue reading “Upside down & and backward.”

adjusting foundations – a broad definition of preservation

  Thaden Jordan mid-century modern sideboard.  Molded birch plywood sideboard designed and produced by Thaden Jordan Furniture Corporation, USA, late 1940s – early 1950s.  After selling this piece of furniture on Craigslist,  I began to think about my relationship with the objects in my life & how that relationship has helped form a broad philosophy ofContinue reading “adjusting foundations – a broad definition of preservation”

Why do I need to “fix” things? Save me from myself.

Here I am with Grace Szuwala, the owner of TIME PIECES.  She understands my nutty behavior and is is going to help me by “fixing” my clock. My clock doesn’t work on its own.  I think there is hope – just listen! The tiny store is layered in stories (and clocks) Grace welcoming me backContinue reading “Why do I need to “fix” things? Save me from myself.”

Ashes in Alabama and the power of flaws 3.8.14

I traveled down to Montgomery, AL to visit the Dexter Ave. Parsonage. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family resided in this home during a 1956 bombing attack.   It is now an historic house museum. (Image: Franklin D. Vagnone) The damaged porch of MLK’s Montgomery home. (Image: blogspot.com) One of the most amazing thingsContinue reading “Ashes in Alabama and the power of flaws 3.8.14”

Joe & Hilda Minter’s House and Garden – 9.21.13

Folk artist Joe Minter stands beside his memorial to African-American soldiers. Joe and Hilda Minter’s house and garden in Birmingham, AL. The interior of the Minter House.  It is Joe’s wish for the house to become a house museum. Joe Minter states that the job of an artist is to “preserve life”.  The interior ofContinue reading “Joe & Hilda Minter’s House and Garden – 9.21.13”

Museum Anarchist tags

“museum anarchist” tags were begun as a way to engage a wider community in soliciting comments and ideas about the present state of museums and historic house museums.  Many people have taken this idea and tweeted pictures back to me showing their “anarchist” tags in situ ( @franklinvagnone ).   What do you find annoying aboutContinue reading “Museum Anarchist tags”