European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 03, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                England Hardy experiences a revival on Home turf Bys Eleeman the associated press they re opening his Home to the Public and plan to rebuild the Church musicians gallery he loved. Soon he May even have a special place in the local museum in Dorchester England. Always eloquent sometimes irascible often inspired Thomas Hardy is gaining at Home so  the glory that Dorset s leading literary son enjoys abroad. It s a classic Case of a Prophet not being recognized in his own country said or. James Gibson chairman of the Hardy society. A combination of local neglect and the Hardy family s desire for privacy have contributed to the writer s poor profile at Home despite his massive International reputation Gibson believes. Compared to Shakespeare William Wordsworth or the bronzes whose houses Are popular shrines Hardy s Homes Are relatively inaccessible. There is Little evidence of him at Dorchester s museum where staff Battle to adequately store Hardy s manuscripts on a Small budget. Long standing locals like to show they Are not Overly impressed by his Fame said Richard de Peyer curator of the Dorset county museum in Dorchester. Nevertheless most local towns and villages Are prepared to Cash in on Hardy making the most of even the most tenuous connection. There Are streets and Coffee shops named Caster Bridge his name the Dorset Countryside cottage where Hardy was born and where he wrote two of his novels far from the madding crowd and under the Greenwood  for Dorchester and Hardy postcards and reprints of his works abound. When Hardy died in 1928, his ashes were interred with other giants of literature in poet s Corner at London s Westminster Abbey. But his family insisted his heart be buried in a country churchyard at Stansford near Dorchester where his parents met and where he was baptized. There it lies with his two wives and other relatives and with William dewy Tranter Reuben Farmer Ledlow late at plough As he says in his poem friends beyond. Hardy s heart was always in the gentle Green valleys where he spent most of his life and which form the appealing rustic backdrop to Many of his haunting poems and to the Best Selling novels which Chart the decline of England s Rural culture. Many of his characters Mirror the qualities and peculiarities of local people. Yet Hardy always has suffered unpopularity at Home says Gibson possibly because of envy and the fact that he was regarded As mean because he did not throw his Money  his tendency on occasion to be difficult or domineering also made enemies an International clamor now has persuaded the National Trust to open Max Gate the red Brick Neo gothic House on the Edge of Dorchester which Hardy designed and where he lived from 1885 until his death. Here he wrote Tesso the d umber vines Jude the obscure and other works. On three afternoons a week this summer Hardy enthusiasts will be Able to walk through the drawing room conservatory and gardens where Hardy entertained such luminaries As Virginia Woolf Robert Louis Stevenson . Wells and the Prince of Wales later King Edward Vii. Some Hardy Memorabilia May be on display. Although none of Hardy s belongings remain at Max Gate the rooms including several oddly proportioned bedrooms and a set of pinched servants quarters remain As he designed them proof that he chose wisely when he turned his pen from architecture to writing. The Garden where Hardy planted 2,000 Trees features in a number of his poems. There he buried his beloved pets including his favorite dog Wessex. Faithful and True runs Hardy s carved epitaph on the pet s grave. Contributions for the Hardy exhibit can be sent to the Dorset county museum. Dorchester dt1 1xa, or to the Hardy society . Box 1438 Dorchester Dpi 1yh. Your interests Are so important to us we d even be willing to have you Tell us provided of course that you Tell us where you and other readers like to hike so we can cover it in one of our travel pages. _ _.  -.   dear Reader stripes Magazine needs your help in determining our travel plans for the year please take a few minutes to answer the following questions and mail your replies to the address provided below. Thank you. 1. What Are your favorite travel destinations 2. What other destinations or Leisure subjects would you like information on 3. What kind of information do you find most helpful accommodations nightlife eating out activities for children sights any other other comments if so please include them on a separate piece of paper. Send replies to military address travel ideas the stars and stripes unit 29480, Box 263, Apo a 09211 civilian address travel ideas stars and stripes Box 263, Postrach 1114 37,64278 Darmstadt Germany nobody does it better. 16 stripes Magazine february 3, 1994