Looking through the Past: Capturing McLeod County
To research and recreate early street scene photographs of the nine McLeod County towns.
Partners: McLeod County Historic Partnership, McLeod County Historical Society, Hutchinson Center for the Arts
A photographer will travel to the nine towns within McLeod County to reimagine 18 early street scene photographs. At a minimum, it:s been five decades since photographs were taken to record the appearance of these small communities. In many cases, photographs of these communities date back to before roads were paved. Having a permanent record of what these towns looked like during the late 2010s will be an instrumental research tool for future residents who:d like to know more about their community's history.
This project will not only permanently capture changes that have occurred over time; it will also include a comprehensive history documenting the major events that occurred in these communities. Little has been recorded on events that have affected these towns. By having a researcher and photographer work together on this project, this partnership will create updated information on specific towns: history and photographic documentation that researchers at the McLeod County Historical Society will be able to reference for decades to come. By the project:s end, there will 18 :then and now: photographs to show the evolution of all nine communities and a comprehensive research report to accompany them.
$2,000,000 each year is for partnerships involving multiple organizations, which may include the Minnesota Historical Society, to preserve and enhance access to Minnesota's history and cultural heritage in all regions of the state.
Available upon request. Contact:grants@mnhs.org
Targets were achieved. The event was reported on in county newspapers as well as radio and local television. Those who were in attendance on the night of the exhibit expressed interest in how each community had changed over time. In addition, the exhibit was left on the wall of the Art Center for an extended period of time due to public interest in the photos and monographs.
Available upon request, grants@mnhs.org