It’s, “always another day” to learn something!

   When I first started the Saving Tara Project I was constantly being “hit in the face” with new truths about the Tara façade and its construction and time on the screen. But I think  the most poignant was the realization that Tara was only seen on screen for a short amount of time during the entire film and the outside of Tara,….the façade was seen for just a portion of that time.

So today I’m posting a photo or two of one of my favorite scenes but also what I believe is the longest sequence shot using Tara’s façade. The scenes on the front porch and side porch as the war has ended and the soldiers are walking home is,….I believe,… the longest of Tara’s screen time…and included all of the family and house servants getting their face (and words) in front of the camera. Now, I don’t pretend to know all of Tara’s secrets yet (and believe me I’m trying) and it could be that I have missed something so please comment if have something to add.

I had hoped the next big construction project for my volunteers would be the side porch steps and assorted columns but presently I am working on space considerations so that if we build there will be enough room to display it. The porch steps themselves are 11 steps over 12 feet in length and over a foot deep. Since the original construction was done on a dirt foundation they could “sink them” and back fill around everything but we will have to set it up on a concrete floor and thus it will rise about 4 feet off the ground. If you then consider the side windows and doors as well as the columns and railings we may need a taller space (which I am searching for every day) to squeeze everything into.

But for today, enjoy the photos of the side porch as it stood when Melanie sat with the soldiers,  and the photos of it now as it waits in the barn to be reassembled. I have not given up the fight nor have my faithful volunteers and so I have hope that soon it will be ready to welcome another long line of guests into the old barn…or wherever we may end up. Just keep wishing us well in our journey and telling others about the project to preserve and present the most famous of all movie sets…..Tara.

Thank you to all who have taken advantage of the new web/blog site and purchased copies of the book, Official Guide to the Saving Tara Project. Although the book is available thru all the online sellers, each book purchased thru my site will be autographed and you can be assured that all the proceeds will go toward the continued work of the restoration. If you have a group of folks who would like to spend a little time with me touring the Tara façade I will be glad to arrange a special tour during the week. I can also be cajoled into speaking at your location if you will be so kind as to send me a private message.

Take care my good friends all, and know that it is my hope that I will be around long enough to personally meet each of you and thank you for your support,….up at the gate.

Peter