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Save the DH Lawrence Ranch?
Scott Schreffler, Grad Student, Architecture, UNM
D.H. Lawrence was considered a modern British writer. Like Georgia OKeefe, he found the sun-filled desert, mountains and rivers spiritually rich and inspiring. In his 1931 article, New Mexico, Lawrence wrote, " I think that New Mexico was the greatest experience from the outside world that I have ever had. It certainly changed me forever...the moment I saw the brilliant, proud morning shine high up over the deserts of Santa Fe,something stood still in my soul, and I started to attend."
Lawrence’s final home was just north of Taos. His property became the 160 acre Kiowa Ranch, and was gifted to the University of New Mexico by his wife, Freida Lawrence in 1955. The will stated the ranch was to be used for cultural, charitable, educational, and recreational purposes.
Soon after the donation, UNM put the ranch to good use. However, in recent months there has been criticism. The Dallas Morning news has called the condition of the Lawrence shrine appalling. According to the New York Times, officials in Nottingham, England, Lawrence’s hometown, stated,"If they can not look after the shrine over there, then it would be sensible to bring it back here."
A grassroots effort is currently progressing by the Graduate Student Association at UNM to place a few of the original structures on the National Register of Historic Places. The effort is bringing together professionals and students nationally from different schools and disciplines.
Clearly, there is national and international belief that the site holds great cultural importance. However, some at UNM have shown indifference by allowing the site to remain underutilized. The coming months may bring the controversy of significance here to New Mexico with an ensuing debate about the potential future use of the ranch.
D.H. Lawrence was considered a modern British writer. Like Georgia OKeefe, he found the sun-filled desert, mountains and rivers spiritually rich and inspiring. In his 1931 article, New Mexico, Lawrence wrote, " I think that New Mexico was the greatest experience from the outside world that I have ever had. It certainly changed me forever...the moment I saw the brilliant, proud morning shine high up over the deserts of Santa Fe,something stood still in my soul, and I started to attend."
Lawrence’s final home was just north of Taos. His property became the 160 acre Kiowa Ranch, and was gifted to the University of New Mexico by his wife, Freida Lawrence in 1955. The will stated the ranch was to be used for cultural, charitable, educational, and recreational purposes.
Soon after the donation, UNM put the ranch to good use. However, in recent months there has been criticism. The Dallas Morning news has called the condition of the Lawrence shrine appalling. According to the New York Times, officials in Nottingham, England, Lawrence’s hometown, stated,"If they can not look after the shrine over there, then it would be sensible to bring it back here."
A grassroots effort is currently progressing by the Graduate Student Association at UNM to place a few of the original structures on the National Register of Historic Places. The effort is bringing together professionals and students nationally from different schools and disciplines.
Clearly, there is national and international belief that the site holds great cultural importance. However, some at UNM have shown indifference by allowing the site to remain underutilized. The coming months may bring the controversy of significance here to New Mexico with an ensuing debate about the potential future use of the ranch.