“The Pennsylvania Academy of Music’s campus in downtown Lancaster, designed by architect Philip Johnson and acoustician Cyril M. Harris, was completed in 2008. The building features the 364-seat Steinman Hall, as well as private teaching studios, theory and composition classrooms, and other facilities. This building is no longer owned or occupied by the academy and was inevitably sold to Millersville University of Pennsylvania, due to financial struggles by the academy.” – Wikipedia.
Arguably, this is the most notable architectural accomplishment we have in Lancaster and comparable in the terms of aesthetics to any facility in the state.
The question: Will Millersville University revere and maintain the architectural splendor of the Prince Street structure or will a bunch of pedestrian hacks emulate the barbarians who sacked Rome?
We hope it will be the former. But the first indication, the black and white “Millersville University” sign erected against the precious wood veneer in front of the Steinman Auditorium, is a tasteless omen of bad things to come.
It is a pity that there is no Art Commission that would be reviewing changes that University will make to the building. Renovations are understandable, but they should be done with respect and taste.
I was relieved when I saw that sign. It signaled stability, activity, responsibility, civility. Couldn’t be happier about it.
Phillip Johnson’s office designed the building. It was his less than famous partner Alan Ritchie who was the principal architect of this forgetable design which has not graced the pages of one major architectural publication. The barbarians here are the ones who plundered the good will of Lancastrians.
It’s noteworthy comments like those above that make Lancaster such an endlessly fascinating place to live. “Only in Lancaster!”. There’s no other place like it… so, live it – love it!