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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Photo Collection Reveals Cornwall's Past
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| These Cornwall women were photographed in their study... |
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| ..and in the countryside by an anonymous photographer at the turn of the last century. Photos from the collection of Walter Earl. |
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| Walter Earl (center) and his brother, Mark, on his grandmother's last day as Cornwall town clerk in 1963. Photo from the collection of Walter Earl. |
January 07, 2009
The Cornwall Historical Society wants to take you back in time in a three-part photo show starting this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Munger Cottage.
The photos, which date from the late 1800s through the 1960s, capture images of Cornwall residents in a variety of activities and historical society president Mary Ann Rose O’Dell hopes that people at the show may be able to identify people or places in the photographs.
The collection was given to the historical society by Walter Earl, who grew up on Main Street in Cornwall, in a home where his father, grandfather and grandmother ran the town clerk’s office.
Given their public involvement in the Cornwall community, Walter Earl said his family members had a large collection of photos that he inherited. “I’ve got archiving in my genes,” Earl said in a phone interview, “and I have a love for Cornwall.”
More than a third of the 350 photos were printed from glass negatives made in the late 1800s. Many of them were taken of women in remarkably relaxed portraits, lounging in hammocks, reading, or sitting by their desk. One can image a photographer with a great sense of humor who encouraged his subjects to laugh and show affection during the photo shoots.
Other photos show members of the Earl family during the mid-1900s and include news clipping about Walter’s grandmother, Edith Earl, who served as town of Cornwall clerk for 25 years. Mrs. Earl took over the job from her husband who was the town clerk until his death.
Walter Earl says that he is happy to share his photo collection with the Cornwall Historical Society and with members of the public who can view the full collection via the links below. He asks that any reproduction or reference to the photos credit The Collection of Walter Earl.
Cornwall Photos Vol. 1
Cornwall Photos Vol. 2
Cornwall Photos Vol. 3
Cornwall Photos Vol. 4
Cornwall Photos Vol. 5
Comments:
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My Grandfather was Town Clerk for 10 years before my Grandmother, and my Dad would fill in when they were ill. All births and deaths recorded and other licenses required a visit to them. They knew the whole town. The clerks office was in our Main Street home until after I was born.
posted by Walter Earl on 01/08/09 at 4:41 AM
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