#harriet freeman

[moodboardmix]

Samuel and Harriet Freeman House, 1962 Glencoe Way, Hollywood, California,

The house was constructed with more than 12,000 cast concrete blocks used both inside and out, and features a salon-style layout with a central hearth, partially open kitchen and several outdoor spaces. 

It was created by Frank Lloyd Wright 1923 and 1925 with additions and furniture by Rudolf Schindler and subsequent minor improvements by John Lautner, Gregory Ain, and Robert Clark.

[hdslibrary]

Mystery Monday: The Case of the Green Ribbon

In 1908, Unitarian minister and author Edward Everett Hale inscribed this book of bible selections to his companion and collaborator, Harriet E. Freeman: "I have left the green ribbon where the book opened in the morning as the poor boy longed for his home." (See here for more on Hale's shorthand.)

A faculty member passed this book while it was on display and wondered where Hale had placed the green ribbon. Based on her knowledge of Hale's works as well as knowledge of the Bible, our professor hypothesized the passage marked was likely to have been the parable of the Prodigal Son.

But how could we know? The book was acquired without any ribbon.  

Taking the book from the case, we examined the book for marks in the gilt edges which could support reading activity around those pages. There were several nicks and spaces in the text block (seen in the picture above) but by far the strongest mark, a line in the gold that continued on all edges, indicated an opening to the story of the Prodigal Son.

We may never know for certain, but we think this is a lovely example of how books can speak to us, even when their owners have gone.