Arthur Smith
Few can say that they once lived in the Villa Terrace; and even fewer can say that they grew up there. Arthur Smith is fortunate enough to have that experience. Son of Lloyd and Agnes, Arthur is a keeper of some of the most intimate memories at the Villa Terrace. He remembers the Historic Water Tower Neighborhood as a place full of friendly people, with many fond memories of the neighbors coming over for dinner and activities. Though the children were often not a part of the adult activities, there were always plenty of places for the kids to entertain themselves.
Arthur’s recalls his father as a man who loved children and who never hesitated to make life more fun. He was always building contraptions for the children's enjoyment. Arthur remembers that his father built motorized carts, a gun range in the basement, and an ice rink on their back porch. These are only a few of the many things Arthur remembers from his early years with his father. When it came to the family business, Arthur’s father would sit the family down and discuss what was going on. He would ask the children their opinion about various scenarios that came up at work. He was truly an inspirational man. Parts of a Story While researching the Villa Terrace, it was our privilege to interview Arthur Smith at his home. Not only does his contribution to our project shed light on childhood experiences and pleasures at a place like the Villa Terrace, but it also reveals the nature of the Villa's domestic life. Our reading of the Villa Terrace is heavily influenced by the way the building frames the identity of its users. Each visitor identifies with the Villa uniquely, based on past experiences, expectations, social position, and the sensorial experience at the Villa itself. Arthur, is one of the few who claims an experience of "home" upon revisiting the Villa. As we gathered images, measurements, history, and ethnographic and personal narratives, our own understanding of the place began to come together. By its nature, this kind of research is set apart from quantitative data and analysis, and as such, we began to craft our understanding of the Villa from the point of view of all those with whom we collaborated: the caretakers, managers, volunteers, and patrons. It was through the information and stories we collected, whether historical or biological, that we developed our own story. Through this process, we (as researchers and subjects) became inextricably linked to a world created by the Villa Terrace and those who care for it—a world within which we lived, breathed, and existed for five weeks. We are therefore no longer observers of the beautifully situated home atop the bluff. We are now participants in the Villa's story. |
Smith Family Home Video Clips
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Bibliography
Smith Family 1927-1937 Home Video. DVD. Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.
Smith Family 1927-1937 Home Video. DVD. Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.