~MATT BUA/CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM/OPENING
thanks to a lucky alignment of all things good !! – we were able to make the up-state New York – Catskill Mountains – opening of MATT BUA’S – CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM – SAT SEPT 4, 2010.
unlike the impression we got from the earliest photos – Matt had sent us – that the big wooden cat was the top of the – or the actual roof – of a small building – it was a wonderful surprise – to see that the handmade bobcat – comprised the entire museum building – it was more of a lean-to – though in fact a totally free-standing sheltering structure . . . and, made with great innovation !! how fun.
MATT BUA – founder & builder of the first ever CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM.
literally built from the grass roots-up . . . the ‘museum’ collection – is also an on-going grass roots in-progress open to the public – endeavor, too. the way a real folk museum should be – a true people’s museum and community gathering spot.
inside the almost open-to-the-elements – wooden shelter – is a place to contribute artifacts of local lore and comment.
more permanent displays are sturdily framed among the ‘cat’ rafters !! – and perhaps- the most interesting
‘open invitational’ element – a vintage typewriter – on which to leave your own story !!
. . . KATE writes our story !!
that’s CARMEN BORGIA – providing some sweet and low-key music – for the entirely charming & inspired afternoon.
and then pins it to a wall. it was really interesting to read – the other stories too.
LOL !! – the stories stayed brief – it . . .
was . . . hard to type – on a vintage ribbon-fed typewriter – as opposed to a modern-day keyboard !!
it was fun to watch the generation that never had – try to deal with it !!
“NANCY SMITH, KATE & THEO CERIGO VISITED SEPT 4, 2010 – FROM NYC VIA PINE HILLS.”
“we have been coming upstate almost every summer from New York City since we were kids to stay at a friend’s summer house and get some country life in our city systems.
it’s always hard to leave and go back to the city.
maybe we are all just made for the mountains.”
yep, Theo was there too. and he really liked it too.
KATE & THEO CERIGO, CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM. OPENING DAY. SEPT 4, 2010.
the sign says:
CALL 1-877-679-4283 FOR THE CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM RECORD-A-STORY HOT LINE.
PRESS 1 FOR THE PAST.
PRESS 2 FOR THE FUTURE. (!!)
another of the charming and very practical, though absolutely rustic – DIY design features – handmade seating, some for individuals, some to share . . . fashioned from found tree parts, mostly branches, and some wood planks & scraps . . .
and, yes – they were comfortable !!
a look from the backside of the “lean-to” !!
well actually, inside the belly of the cat – it was a pretty sturdy free-standing structure – that seemed to grow up from the ground and take on an organic life. cat, museum, artifacts and all. and it afforded more protection than one would imagine – from the elements. Matt expects the structure to be up – for at least a year – and it is open to the public at all times.
(that’s another chair – fashioned from branches – in the foreground)
one of the more fascinating up-close details – the use of vintage bottle caps – as washers.
re-cycling – was obviously – the catch phrase.
of course – the cat’s – shape – esp the cat face . . . took on a life of it’s own !!
and the cat paws – were the among the most awesome and unique – parts of the project !!
another really interesting design element – was how the structure was placed – on the small country town – empty rural lot . . .
from one angle – yep – there was the town of CATAMOUNT !!
but, from another angle – you could swear – you had just stumbled across this Hans-and-Gretel style – in the open woods !!
you can follow MATT’s project, and check out it’s early beginnings, here.
see: MATT BUA/CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM/bobcathouse.blogspot.com !!
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH