Images and the Thread of Memory

It is amazing to see a photograph of my grandmother, the woman who raised me, who I had only known as a woman in her late fifties, as a girl of eight, with her parents and brothers. The expression on her face at eight was one I knew on the woman of 60, and I wonder if the thoughts she had looking into my camera as I made a portrait of her, were the same as the thoughts this little girl has.

Recently I was asked by a cousin for the date my grandmother came over to America from Wales, and so I pulled this photograph out of the box where my family history sleeps. Seeing it again I am reminded that this is why I became a photographer, and why I value the object that a printed photograph is. I can get lost in the image and the object on so many levels.

I remember these people, and through the image can see outwardly what they must have carried with them through their lives. The photograph is a document of a memory they held, having experienced the voyage firsthand, and seeing the image, I am given a little glimpse into that journey. I wonder who made the photograph and would guess that my great-grandfather handed his camera to a stranger to push the button. It is his writing beneath the image, so the negative must have been his, and looking at the reverse, it was never sent, but my grandmother wrote everyone’s name. I wonder if he printed a number of these and sent them back to the family who stayed in Wales to let them know they had made it to America, and what they looked like aboard the Cedric. I am grateful that my grandmother wrote her brother’s names on the card as I knew they were Mark and Doug, but seeing the card realize that Mark was named after his father. My grandmother wrote in her own style, and at some point I will have it analyzed to see what it tells of her character, and how much of it I remember, and what I might not have recognized. As I type this note on a keyboard I am aware that the words only have the meaning that they are given in a general sense, and the emotion that is carried by the handwritten line is missing. For this also I am grateful that my grandmother used a pen.

One hundred years after this photograph was made, I hold it in my hand and am amazed to have a postcard sent from so long a distance, in space as well as time.

Charlie’s book

Charlie Matthews Memoir as told to Tom Mullen and Lincoln Blake
by Charles Matthews, Tom Mullen, and Lincoln Blake
500 copies printed in Richmond, Indiana by Augustin Printers, October 2010
$19.99 (includes Indiana State Sales Tax)
for Mail Orders please include $ 4.95 shipping ($24.94 total cost including shipping)
218 pages of text
32 pages of photographs in color and black and white
71 minute CD of recorded selections from Charlie’s favorite performances and four original written works.

Requests for copies may be directed to jim@richmondartworks.com

Checks payable to: Nancy R. Faus

Charlie
Just in time for his 60th Earlham College reunion, Charlie Matthews has published his memoir. In discussions with Tom Mullen and Lincoln Blake the story of a living Richmond treasure is told in “Charlie” “The Story of How Charles, the Kid from Spiceland, Indiana, Overcame Early Adversities to Become a Successful, Beloved Teacher, Actor, Friend, and ‘Charlie’.”

Printed in Richmond by Augustin Printers, the 218 page text is filled with anecdotes that range from Charlie’s early years growing up in Spiceland with his sister Maxine, to his Army service in World War Two and his return to Richmond after the war to attend Earlham College and participate in the birth of Richmond’s Civic Theatre. Charlie discusses his experience as an actor in New York and his return to Richmond to become a teacher at Richmond High School and the people he has worked with and known over the years.

Included in the book are two appendices; the first a transcription of some intimate and moving conversations between Charlie and Tom Mullen who initiated this project. The second is a collection of letters from friends who describe their relationship with Charlie.

There are 32 pages of color and black and white photographs that span Charlie’s childhood, his years at Earlham, memorable roles at Civic Theatre, and photographs made in the last year that show Charlie, at 87 years young, has a very flexible interpretation of the term “retirement”.

Also included with the book is a 71 minute CD of recordings made by Jim Hair of Richmond Art Works of Charlie discussing his work, as well as selections from a number of his favorite roles, three poems and a tribute written for his friend Art Postle.

Three public readings have been scheduled to hear Charlie read from his work:

Saturday, November 6 th • 11 am to 1 pm
Morrisson-Reeves Library Bard Room
80 North 6th Street
Richmond, IN
765-966-8291

Sunday, November 14 th • 2 pm to 4 pm
Richmond Civic Theatre Foyer (limited seating)
1003 E. Main Street
Richmond, IN
765-962-1816

Wednesday, November 17th • 4 pm to 5 pm
The Old Book Shop (limited seating)
534 E. Main Street
Richmond, IN
765-935-5237

If you are planning to attend any of the readings, please be aware that this event is contingent upon Charlie’s health.

If you have questions regarding these events or availability of the book, please send a note to jim@richmondartworks.com

Potluck on the Farm

Vicki and I had a great time at the 100 mile radius dinner at the Baxter’s Farm last night. It wasn’t the great food that I was most excited by though, as I have been hoping to find someone with a trampoline to make some photographs of friends flying. Mark was one of last nights jumpers.

Birthday Presents

Yesterday turned out nothing like I had planned, but it was full of great surprises.
I’m looking forward to another day full of unexpected gifts starting with a beautiful sunrise…

Photo Day at Hayes Arboretum

Join us for a brief overview of Environmental Portraiture in the Nature Center and hop on the trailer for a trip to the Morton Arch; on to the Scenic Overlook and Woodland Chapel and then to the Memorial Fountain. Bring your cameras, smiles and good spirits to pose and photograph at several legendary points at beautiful Hayes Arboretum.

All levels are welcome and there will be general discussion of cameras and techniques while photographing Fall color at Hayes.

Join us for morning light from 10am to Noon, or afternoon light from 1pm to 3pm.

Space is limited to 20 people each session with a break between 12 and 1 for cookies and tea in the Nature Center.

$5 non members and Free for members and kids under 12.

To reserve a space call: (765) 962-3745

or email: stephenhayes13@yahoo.com

Hayes Arboretum is at 801 Elks Road in Richmond, Indiana

10 Historic Sites in Richmond

This list was created by Sue King, Morrisson-Reeves archivist at my request for a walking tour of Richmond for the Model T Centennial visitors in July 2008.

Ten Historic Buildings in Downtown Richmond
Compiled by Sue King, Archivist, Morrisson-Reeves Library

1. Pennsylvania Depot – North 10th and E
Burnham designed and opened in 1902, this looks pretty rough right now, but was once one of Richmond’s grandest buildings. It is currently being restored by Roger Richert and Save the Depot, LLC.

2. Adam H. Bartel Building – North 9th and E
The main building was built in 1891, and housed the dry goods wholesaler until it closed in 1999. The company also owned the warehouse to the rear which is now The Loft housing Ghyslain Bistro and Coco’s gift shop.

3. Miller Brothers Building – Fort Wayne Avenue
Home of a wholesale hardware company for most of the 20th Century, this beautiful building has been restored and is in use as the Historic Richmond Furniture Gallery.

4. Wayne County Courthouse – Main between 3rd and 4th
Construction began in 1890 on this magnificent building which continues to be the seat of county government.

5. 600 Building (Bartel’s Hoosier Store) – Northeast corner of 6th and Main
Built in 1927, it remained a family owned business until after the catastrophic downtown explosion in 1968.
It was then renovated into office space.

6. Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building – Southwest corner of 8th and Main
This is one of Richmond’s oldest existing buildings and was built by this fraternal order in 1868. The order had private rooms on the third floor, and rented the second and first floors to professionals and retailers. Dwindling numbers forced the group to list the building for sale in 2007.

7. Knollenberg’s. – Southeast corner of 8th and Main
The George H. Knollenberg Co. building formerly housed a family-owned department store, once the center of retailing in Richmond. The original building with the tower was built in 1877 and expanded to the west in 1888. There was another building added on 8th Street in 1896. After 130 years as a family-owned business, the Geo. H. Knollenberg Co. closed its doors in 1996. It uis currently owned by an investor from Sacramento, California, and is being used as an art gallery.

8. Leland Hotel – Northeast corner of South 9th and A
Opened in 1929, this was once the premier hotel in town. For a time it converted to a motel, and in 2001 it reopened as senior apartments. In 2010 it was sold to Lakeside Properties which plans to add expanded medical care for senior residents.

9. Murray Theatre – Southeast Corner of 10th and Main
This theater was built by Omar Murray in 1909 as a vaudeville house. Over the years it also served as a movie theater and since 1952 it has been the home of Richmond Civic Theatre.

10. Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church – North A between 10th and 11th
Given by Daniel G. Reid in memory of his parents, the Scottish Gothic designed church was dedicated in May 1906 and made of limestone from Bedford, Indiana. Reid Memorial Church has 62 stained glass windows that were created by the Louis Tiffany studio. A set of fourteen bells in the tower range in weight from 288 to 2,035 pounds; the largest bell has a quote from Job 19:25-26 engraved on it…”For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and in my flesh shall I see God.” The organ is considered to be one of the finest in America and was built by Hook and Hastings House of Boston.

11. Wayne County Historical Museum – North A between 11th and 12th
The Hicksite Quakers built this as their meetinghouse in 1865, and it has been the museum’s home since 1930.

Richmond has a number of other great buildings in the area,
what else should be included?

Portland Food Vendors

There are a number of great food vendors in downtown Portland. Vicki and I enjoyed Thai, Indian, Mexican and one of our favorites visually as well, was the Mediterranean “Ugarit”.

I have posted more photos of other “shops” at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/richmond-in