Two very recent events have caused me to think about what it means today to be a collector. The first is the sale of the 1968 Ford Mustang that Steve McQueen drove in the movie Bullitt. After the filming was completed, the studio sold off the car (little more than a prop to them) to a…
Your Kids Don’t Want Your Stuff
Once I started thinking about it, it was hard to stop. All the stuff you surround yourself with that’s necessary for a comfortable life reflects your choices and tastes, which may often not be the same as those of your children. We put so much value on the things we own (and the effort it…
Persistence Pays Off, But the Fight Continues
On August 2, 2017, I reported on the decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to give Dominion Energy the right to build electrical towers on the James River, in full view of the historic settlement of Jamestown. Despite there being laws requiring that there be an environmental impact statement prepared before construction begins, the…
Preserving America’s Battlefields Act
A bill to preserve and protect battlefields of major US wars has been introduced into Congress.
Can Rust Be Beautiful?
If you’ve read a few of my previous blogs, you know that I’m not a fan of “decay on display.” To me, these types of sites represent a lost opportunity, a failure to do something to save a structure before it was too late. The reason why I’m writing this blog about the Steel Stacks,…
Wisconsin makes the news today…twice!
Milwaukee has to make a decision: listen to the professional consultants who say to take down the Domes and demolish history, or listen to the preservationists and citizenry who want to find the money to save these treasures of the city?
One Mind — Two Mediums
While my own expertise is in still photography, I have come to know someone with a similar passion for supporting local history education who works primarily in video format. Mickey Franz’s YouTube channel is worth watching, especially if you live in, or plan to travel to, the tri-state area of NY, NJ, and PA. The…
Using Your Head … and Your Heart
Why is Mount Vernon so well funded? An obvious reason is that it’s the home of our first president, and therefore commands a certain amount of respect and a special place in our American history. What you may not be aware of is that Mount Vernon receives absolutely no government funding and relies entirely on…
A Worthwhile Organization Whose Priorities are Misguided
Since this is my blog, you already understand that what I say here is just my opinion. Quite some time ago, I applauded the work of the Civil War Trust in coming to the aid of Princeton Battlefield and its fight to save 15 acres of land from the developer’s shovel. With money from a very…
So I’ve Noticed…
Now that I live in Pennsylvania, I’ve observed that the houses and barns in this area built in the 18th and 19th centuries are still being used as primary residences and workspaces. That means that the types of structures I have become accustomed to photographing in Wisconsin are not available to shoot in this area….
