Ah, when the literary and artistic stars align. The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center in Springs is thisclose to purchasing an adjacent parcel of land from the children of the late Dr. Harry Potter. Potter and his wife owned the neighboring 19th century farmhouse and flag lot until their recent deaths, when their children inherited the land and proposed to build a 5,000 square foot spec house two years ago. The museum was concerned that the famous view from behind Jackson Pollock's one-time home would be ruined by the encroaching house, and has raised nearly enough money to buy the land from Potter's children for preservation.
Only $25,000 short of the $1.2 million price, the museum is hoping to receive enough donations to close on the property by the end of the year. (Much of the money was raised through grants and about half came from East Hampton's preservation fund.) Refreshingly, the Potter children, who live in California, are very 'accommodating' and have offered a 10% discount off of the $1.35 million appraised price. A happy ending to a land dispute? Some might say it's magic.
· Preserving Jackson's View [EH Press]