For my upcoming talk to the Madison County Historical, SPIRITUALITY AND REFORM IN THE BURNED-OVER DISTRICT(3/22/17) I decided to use a picture of Spirit House to promote the event. After all, many in Madison County know me for creating the Spirit House Society to try and save and restore Spirit House by turning it into a Historic Home--Spiritual Retreat. Spiritualism also played a major role in reform in the Burned-over District.
When Rexie, the women who thwarted our effort by purchasing the home for herself heard about this she began to complain vociferously. Eventually the picture was removed. Evidently she claims that no one can take a picture of Spirit House, or talk about Spirit House in any manor with our her permission and paying her a royalty. Where did she get this idea from? Several of the pictures below refer to this bizarre notion.
Rexie also indicated that she needs to set the recored straight on Timothy Brown (the man that built Spirit House.) Evidently she has some insider, or special information about him. Personally I had thought Spirit House Society Board Member Jocelyn Godwin (retired Colgate University Professor that has written about 20 books) did an incredible job with his book on Spirit House, which he again referenced in Upstate Cauldron.
You and I are within our rights to photograph Spirit House, a nationally registered historic, from the street as long as we are not on her property.
When I heard all this I decided it was time to visit Spirit House and post some pictures on the Spirit House Society Blog. Not only to express my and SHS member's opinion on this matter, but to catalogue the continued deterioration of this grand and majestic historic home that sits on a very sacred site.
It is has been over five and a half years since Rexie purchased Spirit House. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO PRESERVE, RESTORE OR EVEN MAINTAIN THE HOUSE; NOT EVEN A COAT OF PAINT TO COVER THE the many areas of BARE EXPOSED WORD. IT HAS CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE.
It is important to catalogue the deterioration of this home for history. Before we distributed the money we had raised to Madison County not-for-profits ( Gerrit Smith Estate, Madison Hall in Morrisville) there was a discussion of whether we should pay for a professional photographer to photograph the home and send the pictures to NYS Archives; but we felt that we had enough pictures and could catalogue the decline as I am now doing.
The pictures below show the deterioration. I am surprised that Code Enforcement has not fined her for the condition of the home and the circus of junk on the property.
There is a chance you might see a Spirit House Picture at my talk on the 22nd in Oneida to Madison County Historical Society. In the mean time go visit and take some pictures and tell everybody about the tragedy that has befallen Spirit House.
Yes, it is sad to see it deteriorate.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the community can join together and find a way to communicate to Rexie the fact that her property is and should be an asset to everyone. It was placed on the Historical Registry with the intent to be preserved for now and the future.
ReplyDeleteWhats the deal with all of the plastic barrels that have been cut in half, ive driven past the house many times but i dont understand why they are there or the signifigance of theyre placing. Can someone explain this for me please
ReplyDeleteHas there been a recent building inspection? If it looks like this on the outside.......just sayin'. Also, what is this woman's last name. This is an eyesore now!
ReplyDeleteResurreccion Dimaculangan, I have no idea whether there has been an inspection or not; but it certainly appears not. Unfortunately it appears nothing has been done to improve Spirit House since November of 2011 when Rexie purchased it.
ReplyDeleteMoney was distributed from society and you considered paying for a photographer just to take pics of its deterioration......... of our goal is to preserve and protect the property why wouldn’t we contribute these funds to assist as a community instead of mocking Rexie!?
ReplyDeleteThis woman is absolutely crazy. It is heartbreaking it has fallen into her hands. Under no circumstance should any collected community funds be given to someone to repair or maintain their own private property. That is crazy talk. When you buy a significant historic building that needs repair, either you have the funds to fix it or you should not buy it. You should not get “free money” or special treatment to perform repairs just because your private property is historically significant.
ReplyDeleteShe is delusional, crazy, and an insult to preservationists and members of the community.