Maplewood History: A Proposal for an Exhibition of our Historic Photographs

By
Doug Houser
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5
175
This one depicts an early interesting traffic scene unfamiliar to all of us.

Or: How about we copy U. City?

In 2010, U. City mounted a fascinating exhibition of some of their historic photographs. It was unusual because it was outside. This allowed the photographs to be displayed as close as possible to the spot where they were originally taken. They were supported by inexpensive temporary frames made of 2 x4’s. The photographs looked as if they were printed on glass but I imagine it may have been some form of plexiglass. This allowed the viewer to look right through them and align them with some of the buildings that still exist such as the City Hall.

I’ve no record of the photographer who mounted this exhibition but her (I think it was a her) name shouldn’t be too hard to discover or perhaps she’ll get wind of this post. Simplest thing would be just to hire her if she’s willing to do another version of her very interesting installation. This would be the best approach because a: she already knows how to do it and b: it was her idea.

Following I’ve posted a few of the photos from her installation and then I’ll post some of our historic photos that I think folks would enjoy seeing in such a setting.

From the U. City series showing an early photo which featured the City Hall.
From the U. City series showing an early photo which featured the City Hall.
Another from the same series showing a now vanished building constructed to resemble an Egyptian temple.
Another from the same series showing a now vanished building constructed to resemble an Egyptian temple.
This one depicts an early interesting traffic scene unfamiliar to all of us.
This one depicts an early interesting traffic scene unfamiliar to all of us.
An early view of the Maplewood Loop (on Sutton) with the now disappeared Dr. Cape's house at Hazel and Sutton on the left.
An early view of the Maplewood Loop (on Sutton) with the now disappeared Dr. Cape’s house at Hazel and Sutton on the right.
A 1915 postcard of the Maplewood Loop. Dr. Cape's house is visible in the background.
A 1915 postcard of the Maplewood Loop. Dr. Cape’s house is visible in the background.
The Maplewood Loop depot that once stood on the site where the current shelter now sits.
The Maplewood Loop depot that once stood on the site where the current shelter now sits.
Sutton at Maple looking south. the church has since been replaced by the current brick structure.
Sutton at Maple looking south. the church has since been replaced by the current brick structure.  The three houses still exist.
This streetcar is exiting the Maplewood Loop to head north on Sutton. this photo is courtesy of citizen's national Bank. all others are courtesy of the Maplewood Public Library.
This streetcar is exiting the Maplewood Loop to head north on Sutton. This photo is courtesy of Citizen’s National Bank. All others are courtesy of the Maplewood Public Library.

5 COMMENTS

  1. I absolutely love this idea……hopefully you can get this approved and done sooner, rather than later. I really enjoyed seeing the U. City ones….and the ones you think would benefit from this idea. I know that Citizens Bank has many more of these photos….as they are posted in the bank…or used to be. They started putting them on the walls there, while I worked there in the 1990’s. One of them has some of my relatives on the MRH school steps, as students. Just a wonderful idea….

  2. I think its a great idea, are the translucent images plexi or glass? I could see concern around glass. Doug, I would love to help support this idea. Let me know how I can help.

  5. Doug I absolutely love the idea of the glass pictures posted around town. Hopefully the artist who came up with this creative idea sees your article. I would have several photos to share, as you know.

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