A telling label

 

This lovely sign reveals more about its location than you might first suspect. 

The most obvious is the use of the name 'Joseph'. It is not a restroom only for people named Joseph. Instead, it is located in the lobby of a Lutheran church. The corresponding women's room is aptly named 'Mary'. The Lutherans clearly have a sense of humor. 

The second detail that I appreciate is the design of the sign. (I tell my Art Appreciation students that context adds so much more to one's understanding of an image.) I took this photo in the lobby of St Elizabeth Lutheran Church in Ekalaka, Montana, population 363. The church was the best location with the technology and size for the yearly Dino Dig event. What I specifically noticed was the sign's material - pierced black metal. Despite its isolation and size, Ekalaka featured a number of signs, and other outdoor art of the same material, and style. Together they signaled unity and pride in the identity of this small Western community. Simple, sturdy, designed to withstand the rigors of the environment, the pieces, including this one, make a statement about the people of Ekalaka. 

In the weekend we spent in this town in SE Montana, Robert and I were moved by the small town feel of community, openness and connection to both its past and future. The centerpiece of the community is the Carter County Museum, supported by a county mill levy and the passionate crew of young scientists and historians as well as the citizens themselves. The town has put resources into updating the schools (the only ones in this county of 1100) and rebuilding a grocery lost to a fire, not only mourning its shrinking population but determined to be clear-sighted and hopeful to its future. 

Beginning anew!

 I have missed updating this blog, and just writing, period. 

We have just returned from the first extended vacation (more than 3 days) in two years, and I have a lot of new material to share. The plan is to post twice a month, the second and fourth Sundays, so I hope you will check back to see what washrooms made me laugh, or intrigued me. 

Let's start with one of the most recent. This is the facility provided for our dinosaur dig outside of Ekalaka, Montana. It is a popup tent/toilet. No floor, obviously, and a bit short for the taller clientele.

Other features included a zip door, bucket with a seat, and a vent in the top - where said tall people could share their presence with everyone in the area. And supposedly, toilet paper.

About that last item. I did not use the facility, but I witnessed a cautionary tale. 

A woman in need, entered the toilet, zipped up and after a few seconds, unzipped to exit. "There's no toilet paper," she exclaimed. "I know there was some earlier, I saw someone toss a roll to a staff member," I noted. "I did too, but it's gone?" After exchanging a few remarks about how anyone could possible use a full roll in just about 3 hours, she found a substitute, and returned to toilet. A few seconds later, there was a yelp of pain. The early afternoon weather, with no shade mind you, had heated up immensely, and the seat was extremely hot. 

Later we discovered more about the mysterious TP disappearance. One digger discovered a T Rex tooth, and they needed to preserve it in plaster. The crew forgot to pack the plaster, and substituted wet toilet paper, an emergency papier mache instead. Without letting anyone else know. 

One more thing to include in your paleontological tool kit. Pickaxe- check, brush,-check, sunscreen-check, toilet paper-check.  

Unisex bathroom in style

Despite the current high profile of transgender facilities, unisex bathrooms have always been a thing. Didn't  you grow up with one? I certainly did.
And in the late 60s, they were not uncommon in bars, particularly in liberal college towns.
As a graphic designer, I love this simple elegant design that clearly states the nature of this restroom. Two figures, six metal pieces - only slight positioning differentiates the two genders.
This cool door and some great craft beer can be found in the Vortex Alley Brewery, Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Heading down the Mississippi

I don't think that this handmade sign means 'No Parking.' Well, not in the usual sense. We found this toilet on an old family tugboat, now docked and no longer in use. The boat is open to the public at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. 

It should be obvious that the boat, including its living quarters are for display only. The sign indicates that there must have been some people who ignored the lack of privacy, and used this down to basics toilet, and needed to post this sign. 

Potosi, Wisconsin

Potosi, Wisconsin - ever heard of it? It's the home of the ABA National Brewery Museum. This was a totally unexpected stop on our way back to Kansas last summer.
The museum is an homage to the great breweries of Wisconsin - those names that all the boomers remember from their childhood - Miller, Pabst, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee, Blatz and more. With more than six cases of craft beer crowded into the back of the vehicle before we reached home, how could we resist?
They have also revived the Potosi brewing tradition, and serve some pretty decent craft beers in their taproom.
Here are shots of the signs directing folks to their restrooms - customized for the clientele.

Pike Pub

Pike Pub in Seattle 

A speakeasy vibe, harking to the wild side of Seattle. 

The brewery is located in a high traffic tourist district that must attract a lot of non-patrons - not that there is any camera (I think) or an actual person checking breath or IDs to get into the facilities. I find it hard to believe that it attracts a lot of non-paying customers. The place was devilishly hard to find. Once inside, there is an dizzying array of travel and beer related graphics. 

Keeping your audience in mind

This restroom at the Science Museum in Minnesota was designed for both the minds and bodies of children.

The museum is located on the banks of the Mississippi, and a good bit of the museum focuses on the environment. Consequently, the mural across from the sinks depicts the path that water takes from the river and back to the river as we use it every day. I probably spend way too much checking out restrooms, and cool graphics like this one don't help matters.

The bottom image shows a stepstool for little ones to wash their hands. Much like the ones they might have at home.