The bones of Elwell Parker.
As we scoured a dumpster for the bones of a shut down factory, Timothy and I felt a little crazy, but we also knew we were doing the right thing. It was the year 2000, and we had just spent the better part of two years trying to save Cleveland’s icons of industry, the Hulett Ore Unloaders. Now we were salvaging wooden patterns from the Elwell Parker Electric Company, a factory that had operated on that site for over 100 years.
We filled the back of my pickup truck, and then Tim’s, and unloaded them next door into the Brownhoist Building, which also has century-old roots in Cleveland. We then went back to the factory to get more patterns and other artifacts that were doomed for the dump or the scrapyard. Some items still had useful life in them; others hinted at a value beyond utility. We especially saw a unique beauty in the patterns which were crafted with the pride in workmanship that had driven Elwell Parker to greatness throughout the 20th century.
We knew we would do something important with the collection. We wanted to share it with others, celebrate its value as industrial archaeology and honor the workers who were Elwell Parker Electric. After eleven years that time has come. Join us this Friday, June 3rd downtown at the new Brownhoist Gallery on St. Clair Avenue. The opening will run from 5-10 pm. You can also get more info and updates on Facebook.
I will have some photos in the exhibition, too, but don’t expect to see framed prints on the wall!
