Nationality Room
Swiss Nationality Room - SUMMER 2011
By Frederick H. Carlson/Vice-Chairman Swiss Nationality Room Committee
SWISS ROOM CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES! TARGET COMPLETION DECEMBER 2011!
This past spring, our Swiss Room construction account received generous gifts from a continuing stream of our donor base, in particular Samuel Isaly & Family (underwriting the lighting system), Fran Hoffmann (in memory of Klaus Hoffmann), and ABB/Zurich (underwriting the hardwood floor). This has allowed the Swiss Nationality Room construction to proceed including all work related to the leaded/stained glass windows. We are still fundraising to fulfill the entire amount related to the frieze that will be installed after the room is completed in December and before the dedication next spring, and we have some large donor requests out right now regarding this.
Asbestos abatement and demolition have begun. PJ Dick, the contractor awarded the bid, will be responsible for these tasks as well as the room prep carpentry, all mechanical/electrical/HVAC/AV/lighting/fire protection upgrades, and will oversee the flooring and door upgrading. They will be ready to receive the individual room elements from woodcraftsman Richard Sink in stages for installation as the summer proceeds.
Dave Houser of Moatsville, WV, will be creating the windows and will deliver them to Richard’s studio for framing in the fall. His work will take 10 weeks. Dave presented his fine work to our committee in mid-2009, and he has done extensive field measurements of the window areas already. Our own Robert Leuenberger Sr, has graciously offered to have Leuenberger Ornamental Iron create the door metalworks, and associated hingework and latches for the windows and teaching lectern. Please thank Bob heartily for his consideration in offering work at gratis and low rate cost.
KACHELOFEN PROGRESS
The Swiss Room Committee also thanks Edward Graf for underwriting and spearheading the authentic historic reconstruction of one of his family’s Graaf kachelofens (the prime example of this family’s artisanship is a kachelofen on display in the Winterthur Museum, Zurich). The Swiss room kachelofen is based on this Graaf Family 16th century kachelofen downsized to fit into the Swiss Room. Historic expert Evelyn Ruffing and Chairman Heinz W. Kunz, Ph.D. are working with Ed’s team of vendors on this part of the project. The image selections for the tiles are concentrating on the symbols of nature and the animals in the cantonal symbols, thus this will be a truly SWISS Kachelofen. Ed expects the kachelofen to be completed and slid into place after the room is completed in December.
FURNITURE AND STUDIO VISIT TO WEST VIRGINIA JUNE 12
Woodcrafter Richard Sink, of French Creek, West Virginia, near Helvetia, has been working on the 4 trestle tables (completely done), teacher’s lectern, and 26 chairs. This work done now will allow Rich to be engaged with all the wood appointments and elements during the room construction itself from now through December. The symbols of the cantons are carved and painted on the backs of the 26 chairs and were on display for our committee as we visited Richard on June 12. SNRC members Dr. Heinz Kunz and his wife Nancy Kunz, Edith & Philip Bottonari, Evelyn Ruffing, Jhon Smith, Dominique Schinabeck and daughter Annabelle, and Fred & Nancy Carlson visited this gigantic wood workshop-home of Mountaineer Wood Industries and prime mover Richard Sink. Rich’s wife Sarah hosted us with wonderful teas and küchen.
Vice-Chairman Fred Carlson states, “When I received the digital photos from Richard of the carved and painted chair backs I was blown away. The more complicated the image, the more amazing Rich’s carving was!” SNRC members had photos taken with their favorite chair backs. Chairman Kunz said, “I have to petition Zurich (his Heimatt) to make a more interesting cantonal symbol! I’m jealous of some of these other ones now!” Richard worked side-by-side with his mother in Seneca, South Carolina on the carving and painting.
Rich stated in a recent phone conversation from his workshop near Helvetia, West Virginia, “These tables are not moving anywhere! The white oak we are using is so dense that we need not be worried about students pushing them around (they will be pegged to the floor anyway). “
All hands will be moving to complete the room construction between May and December 2011.
OTHER ARTWORK
The frieze will be completed after January 1, 2012 but installed before the dedication. This frieze is a 88-foot long wooden mural that goes all the way around the room where the ceiling molding meets the walls. The frieze depicts a vine of life motif with associated images of harvest, plenty, fruit, birds, etc. The negative spaces are carved into the wood about one quarter inch and the flush surfaces are painted a subdued set of ochres, greens and reds.The antique map of Switzerland donated by Dr. Kunz and the two portraits of Pestalozzi and Rousseau donated by Fred Carlson will take their place framed in the room when it is completed. Dr. Kunz has graciously underwritten the framing of Fred Carlson’s two portraits of Pestalozzi and Rousseau done in the style of Basler Hans Holbein, which were presented to the committee at Richard Sink’s studio on June 12.
The SNRC and NRIEP Chairman Maxine Bruhns are optimistic that if construction schedules proceed as planned, we are looking at one of four Sundays presented to Chancellor Nordenberg, Ambassador Sager (DC) and Ambassador Barras (GK, NYC) for the 2012 Swiss Room dedication. The Sundays are April 22, 29, May 9 or June 3. The SASP will be an integral part of the whole dedication/invitation process making sure all our members are able to get to this historic day! Evelyn Ruffing reports that with all Swiss punctuality, even the room dedication key is now completed based on the Nidwalden and Obwalden keys. Thanks to Evelyn for overseeing this important addition to the dedication ceremony for next spring.The journey since 1998 has been long but very rewarding. We look forward to the project being completed soon and the Swiss Room taking it’s place in the NRIEP family of treasured rooms.
-written by Frederick H. Carlson Vice-Chairman/Secretary
For the Swiss Nationality Room Committee:
Dr. Heinz W. Kunz/ Chairman
Dominique Schinabeck/Honorary Consul for Switzerland in Western Pennsylvania
Walter Schaller/Treasurer, Philip & Edith Bottonari, Nancy Flury Carlson, Jhon Smith, Evelyn Ruffing
Paul Lienhardt/S-ASP President de facto member, Dr. E. Maxine Bruhns/NRIEP Director
Building a Tribute to Swiss Heritage and Culture on the Theme of Education
We continue to ask for your support to make sure the frieze is fully funded by November 2011 so that the work can be completed between January and March 2012 and the frieze can be installed in time for the dedication of the Swiss Room. Send your tax deductible contributions made out to SWISS NATIONALITY ROOM FUND along with testimonials/tributes of any length to: Frederick H. Carlson/Vice-Chairman Swiss Nationality Room Committee, 118 Monticello Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146. If you wish to use a credit card email me at fred@carlsonstudio.com and request a donor coupon to fill in credit card info.
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