Big Sur fallen redwood auction: Proceeds benefit the Henry Miller Memorial Libarary

Although we’d never wish damage to a tree of this age and history we’re happy to hear that the rare and beautiful wood will help a cause near and dear to our hearts.

Profits generated from the redwood auction will be used for the following purposes:

Upgrading the Library to meet State and Federal regulatory requirements. This includes a water-treatment system, ADA compliant bathrooms, upgraded septic system, and more. Bringing the Library into compliance will ensure the Library can remain operational while also providing exceptional programming, including our acclaimed short film screening series,workshops, audio series, etc. This will require paying for building and maintaining a water system as well as paying related legal and administrative fees.

Establishing an endowment to ensure financial stability. While events and tax deductible donations generate suitable income, we hope to emulate other nonprofit organizations by establishing an endowment to help us consistently and predictably meet capital and operational needs.

Create a permanent location for the Miller archives. The Library owns one of the most impressive and valuable collection of Miller works in the world. Funding will help us secure them in a climate-controlled site either here at the Library (some challenges with that!) or, off-site, perhaps in association with other historical archives.

We’ve contemplated getting out our virtual paddle for this auction opportunity, but the carbon footprint of getting the slab to India gives one pause.

We can’t, but how about you?