the continued acquisition of historically important chicago architectural artifacts in 2016 greatly enhances bldg. 51 collection

i'm equally surprised and pleased at the sheer number and vast assortment of significant architectural artifacts acquired and/or rediscovered in storage since the beginning of 2016. whether a single sullivan-designed guaranty building doorknob, or a one-of-a-kind hand-stitched nortown theater organ screen fish embellished with sequins, i've been aggressively combing through the warehouse pallet racks and chasing historically important artifacts removed from notable chicago structures, buildings that fell victim to tasteless and often damaging alterations or demolition.

there appears to be no end in sight for collecting, and i continue to relax my parameters to better define the overall scope of the bldg. 51 collection as it exists and as it might evolve over the next few years. in the meantime, i continue to investigate a permanent location for making these artifacts available to the public.

the gallery below highlights some artifacts that have strengthened or enhanced the collection. it continues to rapidly evolve, sometimes growing new subcategories that stand alone or otherwise circling back to the core of the collection.

each and every artifact contains a richly detailed narrative, representing the building it was part of and the architect and/or fabricator that designed and created it. in many ways, these artifacts stand alone as objects of art, reflecting a bygone era when skill, pride, and craftsmanship -- or all the above -- were of utmost importance.