The Recent Past in Photos
By John Marks, Curator of Collections
In 2003 Historic Geneva gave disposable film cameras to fifth graders and asked them to take photos of their surroundings. Director of Education & Public Information Anne Dealy visited classrooms, showed old photographs, and talked about what students could do. We gathered and developed the cameras, and the results are in our archives. Archivist Becky Chapin is scanning the negatives for digital access.
As you can imagine, the photographs are a mixed bag. There are more than a few images of fingers over the lens, and ceilings and floors when the person didn’t know they had pushed the button. Disposable cameras worked best in bright light; anything darker came out grainy.
The students were free to shoot what they wanted, so there were lots of pets, house interiors, backyards, and friends. We hoped to capture places in Geneva that were important to the kids, and to some extent we did. We have school, YMCA, and Boys & Girls Club photos. My favorites are street images that show 2003 businesses and buildings.
If 2003 seems like yesterday, remember that the photographers are around 30 years old now. These images, like my son who was born in 2003, are old enough to drink and gamble. In this photo the buildings on Exchange Street north of Castle are similar today. However, the Salvation Army Thrift Store moved to a new, large building on Routes 5 & 20. Murphy’s Business Machines repair shop closed for retirement. Plaza Florist has been replaced by the Linden Shop and Remedy Intelligent Staffing.
This Exchange Street photo looking south recently became more historic. Family Dollar closed and the building is for lease. The photographer captured the demolition of the old Firestone building on the corner of Lake and Exchange Streets. This is now Bicentennial Park.
Some of the photos just tickle my fancy. I’ve had many meals at Ronnie’s Cedar Inn, which is unchanged since 2003. I like the skewed composition which was probably accidental.
I have two points to this blog. The first: history can happen fast. We never know when a business may open or close. It’s good to snap photos of everyday places because they may not be there next week. The second: Historic Geneva isn’t looking for art or perfection (but we’re happy to take it). Many of the snapshots from the 20th century are blurry or grainy, but they captured the moment. So, if you take photos of places and events, or have past photos, please consider passing them along to us.