The Kingston Lounge
February 8, 2011 2:22 PM   Subscribe

The Kingston Lounge is a photoblog about "guerrilla preservation and urban archaeology". Via How to be a Retronaut, which drew my attention to their excellent photoessay about North Brother Island.
posted by brundlefly (7 comments total) 19 users marked this as a favorite
 
More than galleries of picturesque ruin, The Kingston Lounge does a fine job providing some background to these neglected lands and buildings. Thanks for this!
posted by filthy light thief at 3:03 PM on February 8, 2011 [1 favorite]


NBI is crazy awesome. Pretty much the only way to get out there is in a small craft under cover of night, since that part of the East River is constantly patrolled by Rikers Island guards. Sucks for anyone who actually wants to visit, but then again, if it were easy, I doubt the ruins would be in such good condition.
posted by Afroblanco at 3:24 PM on February 8, 2011


I'm friendly with the blogger; Really nice guy. I never even thought to make a FPP about his blog-- Apparently, I am an awful friend.
posted by KingEdRa at 3:59 PM on February 8, 2011


KingEdRa: "I never even thought to make a FPP about his blog-- Apparently, I am an awful friend."

Probably for the best! See here.
posted by brundlefly at 4:10 PM on February 8, 2011


What a wonderful blog! Does he give any advice on how to be a "guerilla preservationist"? It is a cause close to my heart but, as someone who is neither rich nor connected, I feel that there is not much I can do.
posted by Jess the Mess at 4:18 PM on February 8, 2011


Nice to see that The Buffalo State Asylum is being actively preserved. It's one of the most important works by H.H.Richardson and I was afraid that it would decay too far before it could be stabilized. I keep saying that I'll drive up to Buffalo to tour some of the great architecture there but haven't done it yet.
posted by octothorpe at 4:20 PM on February 8, 2011


Pictures reminded me of the south side of Ellis Island which was also a Quarantine Hospital. Arriving you came through the Golden Door* and if you were healthy turned to the right and got processed and started your American Dream TM. If you had signs of sickness, turn to your left. We did studies to sell the Interior Dept on making it into a hotel conference center. No dice. Think the only use is as a training area for K9 units- grounds are maintained but the buildings are falling apart.
*just to burst a common Ellis Island immigrant misconception- Ellis Island was the second stop in NYC, first stop was Manhattan to let the rich passengers off- then back south to Ellis Island for everyone else.
posted by T10B at 5:01 PM on February 8, 2011


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