Antique – RDZ Photography

Chicago – December 2018 – Ravenswood Architectural Artifacts

Architecture, Art, History, Sciences, Transportation

A trip up the El’s Brown Line took us to the Ravenswood Architectural Artifacts. Located in 80,000 square feet of an old industrial building, they have high end ‘artifacts’, many costing into the thousands of dollars.

They even had a couple of small cars, like this great Fiat.

The collection was unique, and large.

Where else can you find that mummy you were looking for.

Some sculptures from the top of old buildings.

One of those not really sure what they are piles.

Need a sign for the toilet?

Or a letter?

Forms for making masks.

A fireproof suit for working around a blast furnace.

Glass ornament – perhaps it once had a purpose other than decorative.

What a cool collection of ‘stuff’.

Well worth the visit – the Ravenswood Architectural Artifacts. Just off the Brown Line at Montrose.

Columbus – August 2018 – Classic Cars in a Historic Setting

Architecture, Art, Festival, History, Sports, Transportation

Fort Hayes was a military post first built in Columbus at the start of the Civil War in 1862. At the time it was located just north of town, now it is at the edge of downtown.

One of the highlights of the remaining buildings is the former ‘shot tower’, used to make bullets in the 1800s. Today it serves as an art gallery and visual arts center.

On this day they were having a car show on the grounds.

While I always enjoy checking out classic cars, we wanted to use the opportunity to roam the grounds and check out the buildings.

Many of the original buildings are still standing. A number of them, like the ones below, have been restored. Others on campus are in poor condition, or have been torn down.

Not shown on this posting is a high school that has been built in the last 30 years.

We returned to the main yard where the cars were located and found a band was playing. She was clearly getting into it.

While the guitarist kept his cool on this hot humid day.

But the cars were the stars – a great VW bus.

Hats and tails were in order (just not the formal black tie kind).

Another great VW.

There weren’t many cars on display, but it was a relaxed show with some shade so it was worth a quick visit.

It was small enough all the car owners were on hand and happy to tell people about their rides.

While the judges kept score. The show was small, but the setting was interesting and we left having enjoyed our brief visit.

Zionsville, Indiana – July 2018 – A Big Fan of Fans

Architecture, Art, History, Sciences

As you wander through the streets of an industrial park in suburban Indianapolis the last thing you would expect to find is one of the largest fan collections in the world.

So what you think – well look and be amazed at how stylish and functional these antiques are.

Housed in the headquarters of a fan company called Fanimation, the museum has over 2000 desk and ceiling fan from more than 140 manufacturers (according to their website)

Most are from the first few decades of the 20th century, and show that classic 20s and 30s style.

When we arrived we asked if we could see the collection. The receptionist told us we were more than welcome to check them out, and lead us to the display room. She also indicated she would get Kim to tell us about them.

Kim is a retired Indianapolis firefighter who has been collecting fans for a long time. He is an excellent restorer of fans, having refurbished many of those in the collection.

The fan below however is in it’s original condition, after more than 80 years.

The fans are owned by various members of the Antique Fan Collectors Association (of which Kim is a member with many of the fans in the collection being his personal ones).

The oldest electric fans in the museum are from the 1890s, while they have non electric ones (steam and water powered ones) from the 1880s.

The Dayton fan company, represented below, is still in business today.

They have numerous fans of different shapes.

Fanimation was founded by Tom Frampton in Pasadena, California in the 1980s. They relocated to Indiana in the mid 1990s, opening this facility in 2003.

Most have extensive use of brass, which adds a classic beauty to practical use of the fan.

Numerous specialty designs are represented, such as this airplane fan – a cool way to stay cool.

More of the collection.

One of the non electric fans

As a fan manufacturer their lobby fans are stylish as well.

Even the replica terracotta soldier in the lobby has a fan! If you ever find yourself in Indianapolis, skip the art museum (although it is nice too) – check out the fan museum – ask for Kim!