How Original Is Original?

The Boathouse during its 2011 "restoration"

At the far southern end of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, along the edge of Fountain Lake in what was formerly the Amusement Section of The Fair, sits the Boat House, frequently cited as the second of only two original Fair structures still standing in their original locations. This status seems to be universal in its acceptance by historians and Fair enthusiasts alike.

But I'm not so sure about this. Compare today's Boathouse with photographs taken in 1939: the differences are striking. Most notably what looks like a limestone facade with classical elements has been replaced with brick. Anyone looking at two photographs side by side doesn't need me to elaborate on the differences. But this begs the question: how much of the original structure is actually still standing? How original does original have to be to actually be original? Let me know what you think.

1939 photos from the
New York Public Library