Updates from the OH

December 2005: Ocean House Demolition Begins
(click on the highlighted words below to see photos of the OH)

The Ocean House - prior to demolition
Snow White - the OH was painted white
Demolition Begins - the "new" kitchen is the 1st to go
The Front Comes Down
Front Steps - another view
The Porch - the roof comes off
South and east facades - views from the beach and side
Closeups - views of the beehive chimney and wheel for elevator cable


January 1, 2006 - For those of you who don't know, demolition on the Ocean House began the day of the Winter Solstice. The process is estimated to take 4-6 weeks.

During December the interior was picked clean by Green Demolitions. Salvage will be stored and made available to the public in New London at a date to be announced. Gratefully most of this wonderful building will be recycled.

A ceremony to bless the site took place a week before demolition started. A small group gathered on a very grey, windy and raining morning. The ceremony began in the small dining room. As all the windows had been removed the rain and wind pour in. You can see in the photos, the surf was riled. As Reverand Bercovici mixed salt and water for the blessing, almost on cue, the sun came out and the winds calmed. We walked thru the public rooms on the main floor, sharing memories of those particular spaces. The Ocean House Bar was also blessed.

It was bittersweet. I was aware that day just how tired she was……much exaggerated with floorboards and column casings removed and strewn about. The large mirror in the lobby had been removed and It was open to the anique shop and beyond. Vantage points never seen before.

I have spent the past two years lovingly photographing this building and I have literally watched her sink. I have heard that buildings age exponentially when they are no longer inhabited. This was my experience with the Ocean House.

My work photographing the site started the summer of 2004. I spent many hours alone in the hotel. It was a comforting and intimate experience...one I felt privileged to document. Empty rooms with bare mattresses and sand here and there on the floor...a footprint...an arrangement of beach pebbles left on a glass shelf above a sink...rusted empty clothes hooks in closets...the check out regulations thumbtacked on the wall. Momentos of a former life.

There was a wonderful stillness during those hours. A drone of faint cries from beach activity and the rolling surf could scant be heard. I sensed scenarios of activity from long ago in those rooms. So poignantly aware of the unique opportunity I had been extended and grateful to have the time alone with that much history.

I had a very different experience this fall. The hotel had undergone months of exploratory surgery...holes in the ceilings and walls, exposed trusses and old wiring. Plaster ceilings were spilling onto the the floors. Sampling of baseboards and cornices were propped against the walls waiting to be stored. The mildew was overwhelming. It was disturbing. She felt wounded.

Harvesting began. The diningroom mantel and mirror came down.

When and why had that yellow brick been installed? Was it original to the building? Removing the columns exposed the original natural honey oak finish. Old photos showed perhaps a different location. Where was the dining room before the north wing was added? Was the main entrance originally central on that façade?

Removing surface materials offered a treasure trove of information and always the anticipation of finding the unexpected. Layers of wallpaper provided evidence of how the building was originally configured. Floorboards, patches and layers also contributed.

Having been afforded the time to look more closely and being on a mission to patch together the configuration of the original rooms , I discovered wonderful time capsules behind casings and moldings and in dusty crawl spaces. Standing on the porch a few weeks ago with the balustrade removed I thought this was the first time in a hundred years the porch has been without borders. I photographed Mr. Royce on the porch to document that moment.

Last Wednesday I arrived in time to hear the sound of heavy metal chugging towards the "new kitchen" and photographed the first "bite." I was amazed how quickly it came down. The front of the building started coming down this week. Will provide updates and pictures throughout the process.

I am enclosing below a wonderful piece we received last week. This building has been so well loved by those who visited, worked under her roof and maintained her. I hope it will inspire you to send in your thoughts and memories.

Happy New Year,

Paula Ruisi