The Restoration of the Prophet Isaiah Second Coming House |
|
|
|
The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, in partnership with the Kohler Foundation, is working to preserve, protect, and restore an iconic art environment here in Niagara Falls. The Prophet Isaiah Second Coming House was the creation of Isaiah Robertson, a Jamaican-born carpenter who was inspired by a religious vision.
In this vision, Isaiah was informed that the end of the world would take place in Niagara Falls in 2014, with the final judgment occurring on Goat Island, and the Niagara Whirlpool transforming into the Lake of Fire where the wicked would be cast. To prepare for this event, he was instructed to decorate his house with an array of colorful wooden trinkets, with the aim of inspiring and impressing passersby to the point of salvation.
The most striking feature of the house was a 25-foot tall cross. This cross is said to represent the height of Christ during the Second Coming. Despite the passing of 2014 without any signs of the prophesied events, Isaiah remained dedicated to his mission, continuing his work on the house until his passing in January 2020.
The Project
Unfortunately, the materials used in these artworks were not designed to withstand the harsh Western New York winters, and the pieces quickly began to deteriorate once left unattended.
Thankfully, conservation experts B.R. Howard & Associates have come to the rescue. Their extensive experience in preserving a wide variety of materials made them the perfect team to save this local treasure. They meticulously documented every aspect of the environment and transported the exterior art to their Pennsylvania facility for restoration or replication.
The sheer number of pieces and the condition of the materials made this a monumental task, but we are delighted to report that B.R. Howard & Associates are now nearing the end of this process. Soon, the re-installation of the art will commence, breathing new life into this cherished Niagara Falls landmark.
Learn more about the Prophet Isaiah House and our restoration project by checking out the links below:
|
|
|
The Preservation of Prophet Isaiah Robertson's Second Coming House: Part 1Ally Spongr, Director of Public Art for the NFNHA, discusses the project. Read on spacearchives.org.
|
|
|
|
The Preservation of Prophet Isaiah Robertson's Second Coming House: Part 2B.R. Howard & Associates discuss the details of their process. Read on spacearchives.org.
|
|
|
|
Who was Isaiah Robertson?Saladin Allah gives us some insight into the man behind the art. Watch on Youtube.
|
|
|
|
Learn about the projectSaladin Allah talks about the process of restoring and preserving the art environment. Watch on Youtube.
|
|
|
|
"Rivers of Fire and Redemption"Fred Scruton's insightful film gives a glimpse into the vision of Isaiah Robertson. Watch on Vimeo.
|
|
|
|
Save the Date!Ally Spongr, Director of Public Art, will participate in the Currents: Arts & Culture Discussion Series at the Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University to discuss the Prophet Isaiah House Project.
Date: April 25, 2023 6:00-7:30pm
Cost: $10. Free for NU faculty, students, and staff, CAM Members, and EBT patrons. RSVP is required.
|
|
|
Connecting Four Mile State Park to the Discover Niagara Shuttle For 2023, we'll be piloting a dedicated shuttle that connects Four Mile State Park to Youngstown, where campers can connect to our Falls to Fort shuttles. |
|
Each year, tens of thousands of campers flock to Four Mile State Park to take in the stunning lakeside views. In 2023, the Discover Niagara Shuttle aims to elevate their experience by offering complimentary transportation to the Village of Youngstown and its surrounding areas.
Starting May 26th we are set to pilot a new route, running from Friday through Sunday. It will make stops at Four Mile State Park, Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown Center, and various local businesses along the way. This free service allows riders to explore everything Youngstown has to offer, while also providing a convenient connection to the Falls to Fort route, showcasing the region's many attractions.
This initiative not only enhances the visitor experience but also supports local businesses and promotes the area's rich natural and cultural heritage.
|
Polly King Portrait of the Month Each month, we'll feature one of the countless portraits painted by Polly King. Each portrait, each person has a story! |
Polly King painted portraits of many people in her life, but some of our favorite Polly portraits are her self-portraits. Here we see Polly with a brilliant, colorful backdrop.
|
|
|
|