Large keys like this one unlocked cell doors at Old Idaho Penitentiary

It was almost closing time at the Old Idaho Penitentiary when I arrived in Boise after working in Idaho City, but this landmark I’d seen from the Idaho Botanical Gardens next door was on my list of must-see destinations.  One of four Territorial Prisons open in the U. S. today and designated a National Historic Site, the Old Idaho Penitentiary (1870-1973), now opens its campus and buildings to visitors seven days a week.

Setting sun over Old Idaho Penitentiary

When I arrived an hour before closing time on a coldish, early-spring day, I was a lone visitor taking what became a sort of eerie self-guided tour around the campus and inside the buildings.  As I walked from place to place (looking over my shoulders, uneasy about fully exploring open cells), I found myself imagining how life inside these walls must have unfolded day after day.  And coupled with that feeling of loneliness, I also noted the impact of dwindling afternoon light on my mood as I walked among the buildings into open doorways. Slanted rays of afternoon sun formed long shadows, making me wonder what impact the lack of light — as well as the lack of freedom — had on the residents at Old Idaho Penitentiary. Take a walk with me and see for yourself.

Old Idaho Penitentiary — Outside

Old Idaho Penitentiary — Inside Rooms and Hallways

Women’s Ward — Old Idaho Penitentiary

In 1905, male inmates built the wall with its signature tornado-like brickwork on the corners around the old warden’s residence.  In 1920, according to the Walking Tour Guide, the permanent structure contained seven two-person cells, a central day room, kitchen and bathroom facilities. Was I glad I went to Old Idaho Penitentiary?  Yes.  But enjoyment may not be the operative word here.  The only other prison I’ve visited is Alcatraz, and I had the same empty feeling there as I did at Old Idaho Penitentiary.  Reading the displayed accounts of inmates and wardens helped me put real faces and names into place.  But seeing stone and iron-gated exteriors, scarcely-lit interiors, and small, tight rooms made me wonder how prisoners lived day-to-day with so little of what I take for granted.  It’s definitely a tour worth your time if you’re visiting Boise.

For more information and to check on visitation times:

Old Idaho Penitentiary State

2445 Old Penitentiary Road Boise, Idaho 83712 208.334.2844 http://history.idaho.gov/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Idaho-Penitentiary/94920681668

To read more about our travels through Idaho and Washington, click on the Page at the top:  Inland Northwest.  Thanks!

Hunter Museum — classic home, unique additions!

It’s just stunning.  It really is.  Perched 80 feet above the Tennessee River with a commanding view of the city of Chattanooga, the Hunter Museum of American Art blends the architecture of a stately columned mansion with the sleek Gehry-like curves of a modern structure.

The Hunter Museum was open on the Fourth of July! And we wanted to be there.

We’d heard it wasn’t just the traditional/contemporay structure —  the outside artsiness — the inside acquisitions are noteworthy, too.  The Hunter’s inspiring collection ranges from Colonial pieces to modern-day art by some of America’s finest:  Winslow Homer, Thomas Hart Benton, George Segal, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, and Red Grooms —  just to mention a few.

Humor, color, and movement greet you on the front lawn — “The Lindy Hop” by Red Grooms (2009)

Our small camera doesn’t do the Hunter Museum justice.  You must — simply must — click onto the website to see the photographs on each tab — images that show this blend of three buildings representing 100 years of architecture.

• First, the Edwardian-style mansion, home of insurance broker Ross Faxon.  In 1904, Faxon commissioned architects to build a private residence on the bluff.  It later sold to the founder of the first Coca-Cola bottling company, Benjamin F. Thomas.  His nephew, George Thomas Hunter, founder of the Benwood Foundation, donated the Faxon-Hunter home to the Chattanooga Art Association.
• Second, the addition of a central atrium space in 1975 and a donation of 40 American paintings from the Benwood Foundation.
• And most recently, in 2005, the $22 million expansion and another add-on: an outdoor sculpture plaza.

Old was certainly pleased to meet new.  And the architectural blend on the outside mimics the periods represented by the collections on the inside.

We had heard that this was a museum of note, but what really drew us to visit on the Fourth was a quite modern special exhibit:  Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock & Roll Photography.  If you know my husband, you know he’s a follower of legendary musicians — all genres, all styles.  I knew he would enjoy this exhibit.  But we apologize to our readers for posting no pictures of these musical greats —  photographs of the photographs were not allowed!

Take our word for it, though: this is a must-see if you are a rock-and-roll fan.

Larger-than-life-size photos, mostly in black and white, pay tribute to musicians — from the humble beginnings of rock and roll to the sounds of rappers and famous groups today. Noted in the copy accompanying each picture were the names of the photographers who, in most cases, had won the respect of — and some coveted time with — such notables as Little Richard, Van Morrison, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Tupac, and more.

The exhibit, with in-gallery audio, ends August 12th. (It’s a good one!)

We moved on from there to enjoy the art and architecture.  First, the view from the glass panels we had seen outside overlooking the water.

“Hunter Museum Fence” by Alabert Paley (1975)

We weren’t the only ones enjoying the view!

“Couple on Two Benches” by George Segal (1985)

The Tennessee River from the Hunter Museum

We strolled the halls and rooms looking for names of artists we recognized.  And there are many.

Here are a few, a precious few, of our favorites.

“Over the River to Grandma’s House on Thanksgiving Day” by Grandma Moses (1947)

“House on the Cape” by Edward Hopper (1940)

“Main Street Mansion” by Grant Wood (circa 1936-36)

“The Wreck of the Ole ’97” by Thomas Hart Benton (1943)

In 2008, Hunter Museum received the artist estate of George Cress, a respected Chattanooga artist.  An entire room and hallway are dedicated to this unique collection.

“Pines and Red Earth” by George Cress (1957)

The original mansion, as you might expect, houses more traditional art — sometimes in jewel-toned rooms with some of the largest Oriental rugs we’ve ever seen.

Samuel F. B. Morse, known primarily as the inventer of the telegraph, was also an accomplished artist. Above the fireplace is a portrait of Mrs. George Watson, (oil on canvas circa 1825).

“A Symbol” by Asher B. Durand (1856)

“Rose of Sharon with Feathers” Quilt (circa 1865) above a cherry table with inlay

It was a day to reflect.  To consider the art of making art.  And to think about the visionaries who turned a stately, magnificent home into a place for American art.

What’s To Like: Hunter Museum of American Art

• Fascinating blend of old and new architecture
• Selected art from some of America’s best-known, well-respected artists
• Numerous museum interest groups — e.g., Avant-Art (young-minded members!), Friends of African American Art, Hunter Underground 2012 (They party in the basement!)
• Summer Music Series: All-American Art

• Hands-on fun with art like this magnetic board with words.  Patrons are invited to arrange words to describe the art!

• String Theory — a series of chamber music concerts in partnership with Lee University

Hunter Museum of American Art

10 Bluff View

Chattanooga, TN 37403

423.267.0968

For hours and admission, click here.

Have you been to the Hunter Museum?  Let us know your favorite artworks, sculptures, places to view the river, etc.  We’d love to hear from you!