PAST donates Green Man to library for installation in Reading Garden
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – There was yet another unveiling in downtown Binghamton today, this one of a replica of an architectural artifact that was saved from the trash heap.
The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier donated a copy of a Green Man to the Broome County Public Library for future installation in the Reading Garden.
PAST Executive Director Roger Luther says the Green Man, which features a face surrounded by vegetation, has been a symbol of renewal, rebirth and the coming of Spring for thousands of years.
This one was made from a mold based on a Green Man that was removed from the Ross Building in downtown Binghamton prior to it being demolished.
Luther says the 1889 building had several of them and he's grateful that one of them was saved.
'It was a shame to see these things just fall down to the sidewalk and crumble. So, it was so rewarding to finally see the guy got dressed up in a hazmat suit, got in the bucket lift, went up there, pried it off and went down and then demolition resumes. It was a really proud moment to see that get saved,' said Luther.
Luther says a rubber mold was made of the original terra cotta Green Man and PAST began making 50-pound replicas with just the face. But when they got to their 100th copy, they decided to make a full 100-pound version including the top and bottom borders which was donated today.
The Green Man will go on display later this year as part of a renovation of the Reading Garden with new entrances and landscaping.
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