If you were ever fortunate enough to see James Babcock standing outside Hawks Inn in Delafield, the sight of him would cause you to question the current time period. Built in 1845, the Inn was a popular stagecoach shop. As curator, Babcock made sure that every visitor experienced the Inn much like the travelers of old.
Sadly, James Babcock passed away in August. While he is no longer with us, the Hawks Inn is a reminder of his dedication to historic preservation. Ten years ago, contributor gianofer fields spent a spring afternoon with Mr. Babcock. In this edition of Radio Chipstone, Babcock shares his secrets for curating a moment in Wisconsin history.
About the Host:
gianofer (JON nah fer) fields is an Art Historian and Material Culture contributor and curates the Radio Chipstone series. The project is hosted by the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and funded by the Chipstone Foundation; a decorative arts foundation whose mission is preserving and interpreting their collection, as well as stimulating research and education in the decorative arts.
About the Guest:
James Babcock was curator of the Hawks Inn, and passed away this August. According to his obituary, Babcock lived each day by this simple statement: “there is nothing comparable to an enlightened mind.”
Image: James Frederick Babcock, courtesy of Yonke & Son Funeral Home.
