Green Living History

Some architectural salvagers will use the photos and locations found by urban explorers in order to find locations where they take (steal) vintage and antique stuff from old buildings. They don’t follow the rule “take only photos; leave only footsteps”.

Architectural salvage is the stuff (doorknobs, screen doors, window frames, light fixtures, fireplace mantels, etc.) taken from an old building to be reused. This sounds like a good idea, recycling. But, it doesn’t always happen in the most ethical circumstances.

There are more sources for old building parts and vintage items than abandoned houses. So, don’t assume anyone who salvages is unethical. Any building up for demolition is a good source for architectural salvage. You can also try junk yards, estate auctions and flea markets.

As an urban/ rural explorer (someone who finds, explores and photographs abandoned buildings) the architectural salvage people are a bit shady. Not all of them. But some will use the photos and locations found by urban explorers in order to find locations where they take (steal) vintage and antique stuff from old buildings.

This is not something I consider ethical. Yes, I walk around the old places. No, I do not take anything with me when I leave. Take only photos; leave only footprints.That’s the rule for real urban explorers. We are explorers, not thieves, litterers, graffiti painters, or vandals.

I resent people who use my photos of old places in order to harm or steal from them. I try to be careful about who I give locations information to. But, there is no way to be really sure about anyone, even others who do take explorer photos. (You don’t know what else they do when they are there).

However, each time someone takes something from an old building, there is a bigger chance the old place will be demolished or sealed up by the owner. The owner does not have to live in a place in order to own the building and it’s contents. Anything on that property is not yours to take. So don’t take it.

This week a new TV show is starting on the National Geographic channel. It is called, Abandoned. The show is about people going to abandoned locations and finding antiques, vintage stuff, and so on which they salvage and then sell. I wanted to know if they are taking things without talking to the owner of the property first. I was surprised National Geographic would promote a TV show which encourages people to enter and take what they like from an abandoned location.

I had to search awhile, the information is not on the site at National Geographic (at least I couldn’t find it). However, on the site for Reclaimed Relics, I did find a mention of them purchasing the items at the abandoned location from the owner. So, that’s a good thing. It is still a shame for the stuff to be gone. But, better for it to be saved than just continuing to deteriorate inside an abandoned place.

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