A delegation from China visited Fergus Falls last week to inspect the RTC Kirkbride building. In case you don’t know, they’re considering using the former RTC for a Chinese language and business school.
From what I’ve heard there weren’t any dramatic or surprising developments during the visit. But things appear to have gone well and the tone in the local media is optimistic. Below are links to some related articles. (more…)
Things have been a little slow in the Kirkbride newsroom lately. Aside from last week’s excitement over the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, there haven’t been many new developments in the world of Kirkbrides—just some rehashing of the same old news.
So here’s a post about more old Kirkbride photos on the web that people might not be aware of. In a previous post on the same topic, I mentioned that I couldn’t find some photos of Worcester State Hospital which I had come across earlier in the American Memory Collection. I found them again fortunately. As stated before though, the quality isn’t so hot. Maybe the originals are good (it might be worth getting copies), but the electronic versions available on the web site aren’t. That said, here are the links. (more…)
The Friends of the Kirkbride in Minnesota are extending an invitation to everyone to tour the former Fergus Falls RTC. You can read more about it here: Kirkbride is a Treasure of Architecture. Or you can just call 218-736-5328 to make a reservation. Tours are given weekly.
Speaking of Fergus Falls, check out these aerial photos somebody posted on MySpace:
Here’s a little update on the Fergus Falls Kirkbride building. Fergus Falls city politicians are asking the state government to exempt the former RTC campus from state property taxes. According to an article in the Fergus Falls Daily Journal (”RTC on Capitol Agenda“), the Fergus Falls mayor and a city council member were scheduled to present the request to the state this morning. It seems like only a small, sort of auxillary step towards preservation, but every little bit helps.
I haven’t heard anything lately about the proposed Chinese language and business studies college at Fergus Falls. I don’t know if that’s still a possibility for reuse of the Kirkbride or not. If anybody in the Fergus Falls area knows, please comment or send me an email. Thanks.
There’s more news today on the possible transformation of the Fergus Falls Kirkbride into a college for cross-cultural studies. Read about it here: Chinese Get Invitation to Fergus Falls
In addition, there’s an article on Willard State Hospital which also mentions a photography exhibit titled “Willard: Behind the Walls of the Asylum for the Insane” showing in Binghampton, NY this weekend. You can read it here: Willard: The Buildings They Left Behind
A reader recently pointed me to an article about a new proposal for reuse of the Fergus Falls Kirkbride building in Minnesota. Apparently there’s a plan in the works to turn it into a college for Chinese language immersion and business studies. It’s a timely idea and things are moving forward, but the article does mention if an agreement isn’t finalized within a year, the building may still be destroyed.
It’s strange to think Chinese capital could help Minnesota preserve an historic structure. It makes sense though, and it doesn’t take a psychic to predict such investments from China will become more common as the 21st-century progresses. If this proposal goes through, they’re sure to benefit, as will Minnesota. I hope it works out.
