Foamhenge
Foamhengeis a full-scalestyrofoamreplica ofStonehenge,which was originally located inNatural Bridge, Virginia.It was conceived and built by artistMark Clineas aroadside attraction,and opened on April 1, 2004. In 2017,Foamhengewas relocated toCentreville,Virginia.[1][2]
Design and construction
[edit]
Foamhengewas created in 2004 byMark Clineof Enchanted Castle Studios as anApril Fool's Daystunt to generate tourism. The idea forFoamhengecame to Mark in 1998, when he was inspired by 16-foot-tall (4.9 m) foam blocks that he saw at a local insulation manufacturer. Mark had the concept and materials, but needed a location for his creation. In 2004, he made an agreement withThe Natural Bridgefor rent-free land with the intention of attracting tourists to both sites.[1]
Foamhengewas designed to matchStonehenge,with similarly sized pieces oriented in astronomically equivalent coordinates.[3]The 'stones' are composed completely ofstyrofoamand painted gray, weighing approximately 420 lbs. apiece.[4][5]They are stabilized with embedded 2.5-inch-diameter (6.4 cm) piping, extending from a concrete footing to the top of each stone. The entire structure was assembled in about ten days, as opposed to Stonehenge's construction period of about 1000 years.[1]
Physical Decline and Move to Northern Virginia
[edit]Foamhengestayed at the Natural Bridge site for over 12 years. By 2015, the foam pieces had deteriorated markedly due to the temporary nature of their construction and overexposure to the elements in a moderate climate. Many of the pieces had fallen into disrepair to the point that they had split apart and held together with temporary supports.[6]
TheNatural Bridgebecame astate parkin 2016, subsequently causingFoamhengeto close. The structure was dismantled on August 30, 2016, and placed in storage. After receiving over fifty inquiries from across the United States, Cline agreed to relocateFoamhengeto Cox Farms, a popular 116-acre (47 ha) family farm, nearCentreville,VA, a suburb ofWashington, D.C.After the pieces were repaired and repainted, they were moved and re-constructed, with help from an astronomer, for permanent display at Cox Farms.[7]With guidance from Harold Geller, the Observatory Director at nearby George Mason University, the pieces were accurately placed to align with theSummer solsticejust likeStonehenge.[5]Foamhengeofficially re-opened at its new location just in time for the start of the farm's Fall Festival on September 16, 2017.[2]
Pop Culture
[edit]Foamhengewas created as a whimsical, temporary, roadside attraction andarchitectural folly,but its popularity sustained its legitimacy and permanence.Foamhenge's quirkiness holds a certain appeal to a unique national subculture and it has become a must-see for many. Over time the attraction garnered the attention of many articles and television programs pertaining to American roadside attractions. In July, 2022,'Big Potato Games'announced thatFoamhengewould be one of 49 popular national roadside attractions featured in "Zillionaires: Road Trip USA",its new Monopoly-style family board game. A photo ofFoamhengeappears on the game's box.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abc"Foamhenge".Roadside America.RetrievedApril 1,2012.
- ^abLohmann, Bill (August 29, 2016)."Foamhenge finds new home at Cox Farms in Fairfax County".Richmond Times-Dispatch.RetrievedJanuary 1,2017.
- ^Adamiak, Jessica; Jessica Su (August 30, 2011)."Kitschiest Roadside Attractions in America".Travel + Leisure.RetrievedApril 8,2012.
- ^Goessl, Leigh (September 8, 2017)."10 fun facts about 'Foamhenge' at Cox Farms".Things to See and Do in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.RetrievedJuly 20,2020.
- ^abBlitz, Matt (October 10, 2018)."Foamhenge: Northern Virginia Has Its Own Stonehenge".WAMU.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^Harlan, Susan (August 25, 2015)."Foamhenge, Stonehenge's unholy twin, guards its mystery in byways of Virginia".The Guardian.London.RetrievedOctober 28,2015.
- ^"Foamhenge".Cox Farms.May 1, 2019.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^"Lucy the Elephant to be featured in new family board game".PhillyVoice.July 20, 2022.RetrievedJuly 29,2022.
External links
[edit]37°38′27″N79°32′29″W/ 37.640723°N 79.541333°W
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- Landmarks in Virginia
- Roadside attractions in Virginia
- Buildings and structures in Rockbridge County, Virginia
- Tourist attractions in Rockbridge County, Virginia
- Replicas and derivatives of Stonehenge
- 2004 sculptures
- Polystyrene sculptures
- Relocated buildings and structures in Virginia
- United States sculpture stubs