Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.
Plato
driving down the road, you see a lonely home falling into disrepair. you're in the middle of nowhere, and beyond the reach of street lights or the call of your voice, if needed. paint on the exterior is just a smudged blush of what it once was. nature has reclaimed it's territory and is slowly swallowing the structure, leaf by leave, vine by vine, root by root…
aaaand, look at those beautiful windows! did you see that door? look at the detail! whose hands held that rail? what, oh what could be inside??
creepy old house? nope.
mysteries to unfold, stories waiting to be told, treasures waiting to be discovered again? yup.
when i was growing up up, road trips and nature walks with mom were sure to lead to some old structure to explore. so, it's no surprise that when i saw an old school house built in 1887 and, oh joy, the doors were open...yeah, i'm going in! that's what happened last weekend, visiting family, on a walk into town. this school house, is far from the road side india jonesin' picture i described above. rather, it's right in the heart of this old town in sw, ny. but, i could feel exploration, discovery and adventure afoot! it's in my blood, I guess.
…there is actually an effort to covert the old classrooms into cool commercial space…
…the old school bell…
…school entry, just andrew not mysterious ghost-like figure…
…oh the days when boys were gentlemen! the original sign still hangs to the right of the door…
…okay, this has freddy krueger written all over it. yes, i went in immediately…
…in case you want to check your look in the mirror…
…dying to explore the gym, we found an open door in the basement…
…i forget how giant i feel at a children's fountain…
…little peek into the gym from the window slats…
…one door, two ways. it's all how you see it
bwhaa-ha-ha-ha-ha, or…
…ooh, where could I put this in my home?!…
…surprise, surprise, look who has found a ball in 30 seconds flat…
…i can hear the sneakers squeak on the gym floor, home team is up by 2 points, 30 second left on the clock, it's anyone's game…
…nothing but net…
…upper deck seating in the school gym? come on, that's pretty cool!…
…dying to take home these gym floors…
…top of the key…
…caged dome lights…
…and on the second floor, skylights! the lighting was gorgeous on the upper floor…
…i was a little obsessed with the doors…
…hall…
…I told you I was obsessed with the doors. I particularly love the old 14 impression…
…look how gloriously wide the stairwell is, those windows were easily 4' tall…
…upper floor hall…
…this is the school bell/clock as you enter the school. love. …
…union free school, 1887…
…charming, or what?…
as i walked away, amused and delighted by our little exploration, i couldn't help being reminded that inspiration is everywhere! you just have to choose to open the door, and discover the genius.
