Twisted Preservation Blog

  • The narcissism of details

    The narcissism of details New York City, 2014 I don’t mean to pick on Old George, but he really slept around. A lot. Have you ever noticed that the official messaging for a historic house site  usually involves an obscure detail? The most obvious – “George Washington slept here”. I have been stunned to learn… Read more

  • fingerprinting: a defense of leaving your mark

    fingerprinting: a defense of leaving your mark

    Don’t scratch your name in the wall OF COURSE! – But, what do we take away with us from a visit to a museum? postcards, a book and a “selfie”.  Why does this matter to a house museum site? Because what I consider important may not be the same for you. We have to allow… Read more

  • 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 an… Read more

  • philosophy of old windows

    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,… Read more

  • Upside down & and backward.

    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 will… Read more

  • adjusting foundations – a broad definition of preservation

    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 of… Read more