Built to Last

Richmond is an architect who coordinated the rescue and repair of the building, which so far has included a new roof and windows, the installation of central heat and air, a kitchen and an earthen “green roof” over part of the basement.

Currently, the museum features photographs and artifacts from throughout the marble company’s history, and one room is dedicated to Albert Milani, an Italian sculptor who moved to Knoxville with his family to take the position of Master Marble Carver at Candoro.

Several smaller sculptures of Milani’s are on display at the museum, as well as a number of his tools. Also included are photographs of his larger work from around the world, including the four large eagles which sit atop Knoxville’s downtown post office.

“We want it to be a cultural tourism stop, but still serve the community,” says Tandy of the museum. “We see it as a way to focus fundraising interest.”

The center is moving toward that goal; In addition to donations and city allotted grants, they’ve recently been awarded a $25,000 matching grant from the 1772 Foundation, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that assists in preserving unique American historical buildings, with an emphasis on edifices related to industrial history.

This is an important coup, with a potential $50,000 to boost the center’s future if the funds are raised by the July 1 deadline. The organization has already raised $10,000, and the publicity resulting from the upcoming Vestival may provide the push it needs to reach the goal.

Good news also came in 2005, when the building was put on the National Register of Historic Places, making it eligible for federal funds. The board also sees the proposed waterfront development in the area as a potential boon.

“We’re in the Vestival redevelopment zone,” says Tandy. “We’re cognizant of the people and process of the development. We look forward to it, not because we personally have a tangible benefit, but because it’s best for the community.”

Richmond is also on the board of the South Knoxville Foundation, which meets to discuss and facilitate improvements to South Knoxville communities. He also sees the waterfront development as another way to call attention to the museum.

Perhaps emboldened by the growing activity and progress, the board continues to look beyond the marble building to future developments.

“Our dream is to acquire the building next door,” says Wade, referring to the old mill where the marble was cut and finished.
Looking out the window of the Candoro building at the mill, Richmond enthuses, “Given its size, you can imagine what can be done with it.”

The mill is a huge structure, but its considerable disrepair frankly makes one wonder if it can be salvaged. When told it looks like it would cost quite a bit to restore the building, Richmond says simply, “Millions,” as if he’s already calculated the grant requests and donations needed.

For now, though, the focus remains on finishing repairs to the Candoro building and completing the marble museum. A cursory exploration of the building, which will be open to Vestival visitors, reveals there’s more to be done, with a project to repair the roof of the adjoining garage in the works.

But looking at photos of the building’s condition just 10 years ago, it’s amazing how far it’s come. “It’s a long haul,” says Tandy, “but we progress every year.” 

The Eighth Annual Vestival
Saturday, May 10
Candoro Marble Building (4450 Candora Ave.) 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/vestival for a detailed line-up.