Seen Better Times is a photograph by Carol Lynn Coronios which was uploaded on August 17th, 2015.
Seen Better Times
There is a more complete history of this building describing Not an Inn Anymore, which shows the front corner of this historic building in Old... more
Title
Seen Better Times
Artist
Carol Lynn Coronios
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
There is a more complete history of this building describing Not an Inn Anymore, which shows the front corner of this historic building in Old Bennington, VT.
I heard the term 'wabi sabi' on Barnwood Builders, and had to look it up to clearly understand the concept. It's a Japanese and Chinese term, with the two words originally meaning 'despondence' and 'loneliness' or 'solitude' - so the term has more to do with feelings than attributes. But we have altered it to describe things - specifically, the beauty of things that are imperfect, humble, unconventional.
This building, this inn dating back before the Revolutionary War, epitomizes 'wabi sabi' for me - both in feeling and describing it. Built by Elijah Dewey in 1764, this section was added by the fifth owner, whose family still owns and resides in, the front, original part of the building. Under Walter Berry's direction, the inn operated until 1996. Three of his granddaughters inherited the property and at least one lives in the original tavern/inn area.
As dilapidated as it looks, check the roof ridge line - and the porch line at the bottom. I've read that the hotel (not sure if the information applies only to the original part or if this addition was built identically) is built of brick, covered with clapboard (probably to maintain appearances, as all other period buildings in the area are white clapboard).
Why has it not been taken care of? Or demolished? One report indicates that the ladies are following the instructions of their grandfather's will: no one is to touch the building; leave it as it is. One has to wonder if he meant to be taken so literally.
Uploaded
August 17th, 2015
