What We’re Reading: August 3, 2012

Time for this week’s What We’re Reading, a weekly recap of things that have caught our attention. From news stories to upcoming events, it’s the digest version of what you need to know about all things recent past to keep you going through the weekend. Reading something we’re not? Shoot us a link: info@recentpast.org.

Endangered Resources

Prentice Women’s Hospital

Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago stays at the forefront this week following the inaction of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks to take comment on the endangered structure: http://bit.ly/PFNiOr

More on the lack of comment by the Commission: http://bit.ly/QKmYGE

And, the struggle to save Prentice reaches the NY Times this week: http://nyti.ms/R5UZkW

Finally, you can still sign the petition to save Prentice: http://chn.ge/MYAbeP

Green Acres

Also more commentary this week on plans to demolish Green Acres (1985–87), designed by internationally renowned artist Athena Tacha, a multimedia, environmental sculpture for the courtyard of the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of New Jersey in Trenton: http://bit.ly/PyDg16

The Cultural Landscape Foundation’s Charles Birnbaum covers: http://bit.ly/Pmutzl

Other Sites

The local designation hearing for the endangered Hogan’s Fountain Teepee Pavilion in Louisville, Kentucky is coming up on August 16. Follow the continued effort to save this structure: http://on.fb.me/qiOstO

Miscellanea

NPR did a piece this week on Columbus, Indiana: A Midwestern Mecca of Architecture. Check it out: http://n.pr/N5e31X

The Airstream recently turned 80: http://huff.to/TawMdr

Long Island Modernism 1930–1980, a new book, hits the shelves next month: http://bit.ly/M8NPMF