Shenandoah County Library Unveils Historical Photography Exhibit

The Shenandoah County Library is set to celebrate Virginia Archives Month with a special program featuring historical photographs from the Morrison Studio Collection. On October 4, 2023, the Truban Archives will host an exhibit that highlights the rich photographic history of Shenandoah County, showcasing images that date back to the late 1800s.

County archivist Zach Hottel emphasized the unique value of photography in understanding history. “Photography gives more lifelike aspects to our history than just documents because they’re something that you can see right there,” he stated. The program will take place at the Shenandoah County Government Center, located at 600 N. Main St., Woodstock, starting at 19:00.

The Morrison Studio Collection, established by Hugh Morrison Jr., began when he opened his photography studio on West Court Street in Woodstock. The collection encompasses a variety of images representing life in early Shenandoah County, including landscapes, buildings, and community events. Hottel noted that photographs often reveal stories that words alone cannot convey. “Photography is just a huge piece of the puzzle,” he added.

As part of the preparation for this exhibit, Hottel and a team of volunteers have spent the past five years digitizing approximately 32,000 images acquired by the Shenandoah County Historical Society. These images capture life in the region from the early 1900s through the 1970s, and Hottel is optimistic about raising community awareness of the collection, which he believes has diminished over generations.

The Wednesday program will not only feature photographs from the Morrison Collection but also display early 20th-century cameras used by Morrison, which are on loan from the Woodstock Museum. Hottel expressed the importance of educating the public on the collection and its significance, especially for those unfamiliar with its history.

In addition to the exhibit, the Shenandoah County Library will celebrate Virginia Archives Month by showcasing various pieces from the Morrison Collection at each county library starting October 6, 2023. Each location will display a different photograph, offering a glimpse into the community’s past. For instance, a photograph depicting Orkney Grade, circa 1920, will be displayed in Basye.

On October 8, 2023, the community is invited to the Shenandoah Valley Archives Fair at the Thomas Balch Library, located at 208 W. Market St., Leesburg. This annual event connects historians, genealogists, students, and teachers with various historical institutions. Since its inception in 2019, the fair has aimed to celebrate Virginia Archives Month, with 18 institutions registered to share their collections this year.

The theme of photography for this year’s celebration was determined by a state-level committee, which aims to highlight the importance of preserving photographic history. Hottel pointed out that as society transitions from film to digital photography, the challenge of preservation becomes increasingly complex. “Preserving anything digital is 100 times harder than preserving a physical item, especially as technology changes,” he remarked.

Despite the availability of digital collections, many library patrons still prefer visiting the archives to view the images and collections in person. Hottel enjoys engaging with visitors and witnessing their connections to the photographs, whether they recognize themselves or their ancestors.

For more information on the exhibit and events, visit the Shenandoah County Library’s website at countylib.org.