Thomasson at the Kennedy Center

A "Useless Doorway" Thomasson

[Full Disclosure: I am a current employee of the Kennedy Center. Any opinions expressed in this piece are my own personal views and do not represent that of the Center, its management, or its staff.]

A colleague recently introduced me to the concept of Thomasson, and I realized I've enjoyed seeking them out for much of my life! What is a Thomasson, you may ask? From the Super Ordinary Life blog: "Thomasson are essentially useless architectural remnants left behind as our cities evolve and expand. At times these Thomasson are oddly well maintained and other times, they are left to deteriorate."

Former water fountain, previously featured in
Architectural Archaeology: Kennedy Center II

Thomasson fits into what I've been calling Architectural Archaeology. They both give a look into how things were before the present. The focus with Thomasson is on visually apparent remnants. With Architectural Archaeology, I've used it more broadly, so some of my remnants only are apparent as remnants when you consider the Center overall, old photos, and/or blueprints. Some of the things I have featured are still functioning, and aren't useless at all! Today, however, I want to focus my attention solely on Thomasson. So here are some I've found at the Center:

Useless Door

A "Useless Doorway" Thomasson

At the top of this post, I featured this picture of a doorway walled off. This used to be one of many doors into the Theater Lab from the Atrium. When the Theater Lab was reconfigured in 2012, it moved its entrance and, no longer needing the doors, built walls behind them. While they are locked most of the time, occasionally you can find them unlocked, and can pretend to make your grand entrance through these large slabs of wood. Just watch out for the wall on the other side. 

"There were bells on a hill, but I never heard them ringing"

Alarm Bell

During the winter months of the Kennedy Center closure due to COVID, I sometimes meandered around the empty parking garage via scooter. On one of my excursions, I noticed there was an alarm bell that was clearly inoperable. Its power cord cut, it hangs as a reminder to fire safety days gone by.

Close-up on the bell

Missing Sanitary System

In one men's staff bathroom I frequent, there is a little sign explaining how to operate the fancy technology the toilet seat has. Or had. The sign's still up, but the toilet seat is normal. The juxtaposition of this situation is heightened by the fact that you have to stare right at the sign for a (sometimes lengthy) time on the very toilet the sign is supposed to be describing. 

Close-up on the sign

 

"For your convenience and Protection

SANITARY TOILET SEAT

After use, the plastic cover is destroyed and can never be reused. 

Please notify Management if seat is out of plastic or malfunctioning.

PUSH RED BUTTON ONCE BEFORE USE

For a new sleeve of sanitary plastic

Bella Bagno Inc."

Bella Bagno Inc is still around, offering their Sanitary Toilet Seat System.

Here is also a 19-20 second video showcasing another brand's similar sanitary system:

Bonus: No Smoking?

So this is what I'm going to call a gray area. Is it useless? Not sure. It might still be in use! This is an ashtray in a mechanical room. More specifically, it's one of (if not THE) last ash tray in a mechanical room. 

Smoking in the United States was a lot more commonplace in the Kennedy Center's early decades. The Kennedy Center used to sell KC-branded matchboxes, ashtrays, and lighters. The opening performance program even featured a full page Marlboro ad on the back cover! It wasn't until the 1990's and 2000's that smoking became prominently stigmatized and legislated against. Smoking at the Center became permissible in only certain locations, and definitely not inside the building. Ash trays like this one were removed. But this one was not.

Ash tray with cigarettes

With cigarettes still present in the tray, it's unclear to know if it is truly out-of-use. You would have to figure out how old the cigarettes are. Not a skill I know how to do. Or want to do.

What Thomasson can you find in the built world around you? Keep your eyes peeled!

Thank you to Scott Bushnell for sending me the Thomasson article! Thank you also to Kate Roberts for showing me the old ash tray!