Post by Okwes on Mar 22, 2007 15:05:43 GMT -5
Protecting murals at old Ada County Courthouse
Boise, Idaho -- The legislative session has just begun, and already lawmakers are looking forward to the final day when they pack their things and move to the old Ada County Courthouse.
But something that's worrying them are a host of murals inside the old building and how to protect them, even though some are rather questionable.
"That's quite an historical building, and it's the intent of the state to try and maintain as much as we can of the historical value and still make it functional for us to use as a temporary place," said Sen. Brad Little (R-Emmett).
A lot of work is already underway at the old Ada County Courthouse -- preparing the building for legislators who, after this session, will be working over there for the next two years.
The concern is that nothing damage the building structurally, since it's art deco style represents an historically significant time in American history.
"So in many ways it's a symbol of America's recovery from the Great Depression under the new deal," added Arthur Hart, Idaho Historian.
But there's also some concern about the murals that line the inner stairwell.
Not long ago, Hart released a book about the courthouse, including the history of the murals.
According to Hart, the building itself was constructed in 1938 and the murals were painted a couple years later.
"They purport to tell the history of Idaho. From the Indians to the settlers, cowboys, the ranchers, the coming of the railroad," he said.
For now, the paintings are being covered and preserved.
But there is some discussion about what to do with them in the future, especially those that seem to embarrass many local legislators.
"Those murals were painted at an historic point in our time, and there are some of them that are somewhat distasteful," said Little.
The one that Little is referring to represents an Indian about to be lynched.
"We've talked about moving them. We've talked about asking our friends in the tribe what they think ought to be done with them," he said.
For now, Little says it's likely that the murals in question will simply be covered up until a decision can be made.
"Our intent is to do no harm over there," he said.
Neither the building nor the murals are historically protected, but there has been enough backlash in the past from Idaho citizens that many believe these items should not be destroyed.
That doesn't mean, however, that the paintings won't one day be removed from the walls and moved to another location.
Boise, Idaho -- The legislative session has just begun, and already lawmakers are looking forward to the final day when they pack their things and move to the old Ada County Courthouse.
But something that's worrying them are a host of murals inside the old building and how to protect them, even though some are rather questionable.
"That's quite an historical building, and it's the intent of the state to try and maintain as much as we can of the historical value and still make it functional for us to use as a temporary place," said Sen. Brad Little (R-Emmett).
A lot of work is already underway at the old Ada County Courthouse -- preparing the building for legislators who, after this session, will be working over there for the next two years.
The concern is that nothing damage the building structurally, since it's art deco style represents an historically significant time in American history.
"So in many ways it's a symbol of America's recovery from the Great Depression under the new deal," added Arthur Hart, Idaho Historian.
But there's also some concern about the murals that line the inner stairwell.
Not long ago, Hart released a book about the courthouse, including the history of the murals.
According to Hart, the building itself was constructed in 1938 and the murals were painted a couple years later.
"They purport to tell the history of Idaho. From the Indians to the settlers, cowboys, the ranchers, the coming of the railroad," he said.
For now, the paintings are being covered and preserved.
But there is some discussion about what to do with them in the future, especially those that seem to embarrass many local legislators.
"Those murals were painted at an historic point in our time, and there are some of them that are somewhat distasteful," said Little.
The one that Little is referring to represents an Indian about to be lynched.
"We've talked about moving them. We've talked about asking our friends in the tribe what they think ought to be done with them," he said.
For now, Little says it's likely that the murals in question will simply be covered up until a decision can be made.
"Our intent is to do no harm over there," he said.
Neither the building nor the murals are historically protected, but there has been enough backlash in the past from Idaho citizens that many believe these items should not be destroyed.
That doesn't mean, however, that the paintings won't one day be removed from the walls and moved to another location.