Humane Society Fountain | Haymarket

The Humane Society Fountain in the Haymarket District, donated by the National Humane Alliance in 1908 to mark the establishment of Lincoln’s Humane Society in 1907, was originally built in the center of M Street between 8th and 9th streets with the aim to provide “refreshment for dogs, horse, and human.” It features three lion-head spigots and four water basins at the base of the fountain. The fountain was relocated to its current location in the Haymarket District in 2006.

Humane Scoiety Fountain | Haymarket District | 2010 | Field-recorded by Jen-Kuang Chang

No Comments / May 14.10 / Found Sound, Travel / by Jen-Kuang Chang

Westbrook Music Building | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

I was thinking about what Glenn Gould said about the purpose of art when walking around the sturdy structure of the Westbrook Music Building in a sunny afternoon. The Westbrook Music Building, home to the School of Music and Dance of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, seemed to hum a quiet consonant interval to counterpoint sunshiny May afternoon’s slow breezing overtones. I began to chant a silent note to harmonize with the essence of this musical building and to reflect on the state of wonder and serenity.

The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenaline but rather the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.

No Comments / May 13.10 / Travel / by Jen-Kuang Chang

The Nelson House | Nebraska City, Nebraska

The Nelson House, also known as the Taylor-Wessel-Bickel (Nelson) House, is located near the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City, Nebraska. This historical property, built in 1857 in the style of Greek Revival Architecture, is one of the oldest houses in Nebraska City and in the state of Nebraska and is currently operated by the Nebraska City Historical Society.

No Comments / May 13.10 / Travel / by Jen-Kuang Chang

Arbor Day Farm Apple House | Nebraska City, Nebraska

The Apple House at Arbor Day Farm, located in Nebraska City, Nebraska, showcases the largest selection of apples in the region, special jams, salsas, dips, and Arbor Day Farm’s signature wines such as Chambourcin red win, LaCrosse white wine, and various fruit wines. The Pie Garden Café is a nice rest stop when exploring the area, offering fresh apple cider, ice cream, and apple pies.

No Comments / May 13.10 / Travel / by Jen-Kuang Chang

Arbor Lodge State Park

My kind of tour of the Arbor Lodge State Park, located in Nebraska City, Nebraska, is usually precluded with a wholesome visit to the nearby Apple House for a delicious glass of fresh apple cider and mind-boggling slices of apple pie. The tour then begins with a visit to the Carriage House, built in 1901, to be wowed by a collection of very-well-aged coaches and carriages, including a fine Brougham carriage used by President Grover Cleveland. Following a comfy rest in the Gazebo, a replica of the original structure donated by Ray L. and Esther M. Daniel on Arbor Day back in 1987, the tour continues to the Mansion to explore its elegant furnishings and impressive 52-room layout all together with my finely-chopped excitement and curiosity. After visiting the Monument Square, the Log Cabin, the Pine Grove, and the Arboretum, the tour ends with a quiet visit to the Italian Terraced Garden to savor on a one-fine-day and to meditate on the inscription of a short poem, probably a modified quote by Henry Van Dyke, found in the base of the sundial.

HOURS FLY, FLOWERS DIE
NEW DAYS, NEW WAYS
LOVE STAYS

The Arbor Lodge State Park, officially known as the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Arboretum, consists of a mansion, a carriage house, gardens, apple orchards, and an arboretum. The mansion, started as a four-room frame house in 1955 for J. Sterling Morton, who originated Arbor Day and served as the Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland in the 1890s. The structure was gradually expanded into a 52-room architectural gem and is currently opened daily to visitors from April to December.

 

No Comments / May 12.10 / Photo, Travel / by Jen-Kuang Chang