From: GMaxham
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 9:20 AM
Subject: Armory issue

I am a bit confused ( as are many people of my age ) about the overarching intent in saving this historic building. How will the historic integrity of the Armory be preserved if it's re-named in honor of a rock star and its mission is one of creating a regional arts center? Perhaps I have missed a few pages in the book and failed to understand that the drive to retain the old structure is one of recycling rather than a determination to retain the historic value it embodies.

Could you, Mr. Aubut, expand on the concept of making this a multi-purpose facility? Would it be multifaceted in terms of having a variety of divisions within the broad framework of " the arts" such as music, photography, painting etc or could it incorporate such things as an area devoted to a center for environmental concerns for Lake Superior ...a place where the heavy hand of corporations ( Like MN Power ) would not be in control as is now the case at the Aquarium? Singling out Bob Dylan as the centerfold will no doubt resonate well with the under 50 segment of the population but will likely have little emotional appeal to the rest of us. There were many events at the Armory over the years that eclipse a Dylan concert in historical significance but, as a senior citizen with almost a half-century as a Duluthian, I may well be guilty of being out of step with the times.

I commend those who are struggling to make good use of the building and don't wish to throw cold water on the movement. The efforts, I understand, are still in the embryonic stage and I offer my views only in the interest of arriving at a solution with the broadest possible public appeal and one that will not become a tax burden.

Glenn Maxham

From Sheldon:

Glenn,

Thanks for your well crafted message.

The intent in Historic Preservation is most often the salvation of the exterior look and feel of a historic building. There are times when the entire structure, including the interior, are saved as originally built, often for museum use. It is seldom practical to keep the building for its intended original use or to keep its interior intact. This building was built as an armory, and with a secondary use as a minor cultural center for Duluth. To quote from the Duluth Herald of November 22, 1915, "the armory has a large assembly hall on the third floor, where cadets may give private entertainments, dancing parties or amateur plays. It is large enough to accommodate several hundred persons, and will be used instead of the drill floor for all but the larger parties to be given in the building." Over a period of 85 years this building was used as a venue for many art related activities and the creation of a "Center for the Arts" in this space is well in keeping with its intended use.

When we think of "the arts" we generally think of music, painting or graphic arts, pottery, writing, theater, and other disciplines, I would not think this would be the appropriate place for an environmental center, especially since we (laughingly) already have that in the Great Lakes Aquarium. Well, supposedly anyway. In our conversations so far we believe that a multi-disciplinary regional arts center is needed here. Some have said, "What about the Depot", and I have pointed out the the Depot is mainly a historical center housing the Chisholm Museum, the Children's Museum, and the Transportation Museum. The Symphony, Ballet and Playhouse all have offices there but only the playhouse performs in that building. The Art Institute is very quickly outgrowing the facility and has had to purchase the Carneige Library in West Duluth for expansion. The facility is full, and because its main mission seems to be the museums there is little room for the arts there.

I don't know how you would ever keep politics out of any public organization, but one can certainly try. One of the ways may to seek much of the funding from corporate sponsors who have a presence in the region but may not necessarily be involved in the local politics. We may seek sponsorships from multi-national companies rather than only local companies such as MP. These multi-national companies sometimes have no vested interest in local politics. I must emphasize "may" as that is all yet to be decided by the board of directors and the members of the organization.

Why Bob Dylan? My goodness Glenn. I don't want to be the first to tell you, but yes, you are now officially out of touch... <grin> Bob Dylan is not just a "rock star", but rather a folk singer, painter, visual artist, blues singer, has written spirituals, and is much more, including "rock star". Bob Dylan has been a major world-renowned star for over forty years. He has published almost 500 songs, won the most prestigious music awards in the world many times over, and his name is recognized worldwide. He is the poet laureate of at least three generations of music lovers. His current music is just as popular today as his early music was almost 40 years ago. There is no one from this region that has ever reached the level of celebrity he has for such a long period of time. Others have had their fame, but will be forgotten in twenty years, Bob Dylan, his music and his art, will probably live on for many centuries to come.

He isn't popular with everyone, but hey, neither was John Kennedy, and Washington D.C. has the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. We are not going to please everyone with this decision, but we believe it is appropriate, and will move the reach of the center out much further than the city limits of Duluth, or the region and to the whole world. The building is about 100,000 square feet and it will take great vision to fill that space and make it economically sound. I believe we have stepped onto the first stair of the path to fulfilling that vision, but there are many more steps to climb before we see the results. Give us time and support and great things can happen. I hope you don't object, but I have posted your message and my response at the Armory web site as others may have the same questions and may find it an interesting exchange.

Sheldon T. Aubut