My Granny used to tell me that I like to take pictures of the ugliest things. Which would just make me laugh. After all, art is subjective. And while I enjoy photographing beautiful flowers, sunsets, and the like; I’m also extremely drawn to things that most folks would consider “odd.” What can I say? I appreciate lots of character in my subject matter. So, when I learned that the old governor’s mansion had burned down, I was eager to visit it with my camera in tow.
I haven’t exactly been following the news stories, but it seems that the fire is suspected to have been arson. Given that the site is still being cleared and under investigation, I was quite careful not to cross any tape or boundaries. However, the few vantage points that I was able to access were still quite intriguing. I adore old architecture, and especially dilapidated buildings. (I’m also fairly sure the construction crew was utterly baffled by my climbing about in the freezing snow with a large camera…)
I understand that this once beautiful structure was a ramshackle even before the flames engulfed it. Even so, I would have loved a tour of the inside, as I imagine it was simply full of that aforementioned character I like so much. Sadly, the building has been vacant for many years and thus fell into disrepair. (As such, thankfully no one was harmed during the fire!) The mansion was once home to the former West Virginia Governor, Hulett Smith, in the 1960s. And it now belongs to the current governor’s family. Locally, it’s simply known as “the governor’s mansion.” I used to admire it from afar whenever I passed by.
I believe the plan is to tear the home down since it’s beyond salvageable, so I’m glad that I was able to take some images before it is reduced to nothing but rubble. It’s one of the things I love about photography… I’m able to capture and preserve a moment in time.
🙂
