Grapevine: Top 100 Photo Collection and More
By Rosalyn Queen on September 03, 2013 from The Grapevine
On Sunday afternoon this week, the PWA of Harrison County sponsored a photo exhibit by local businessman Tom Martin. Tom was in business for many years before retiring, operating Martin Printing which was located in the Centra Bus Building. He worked with many businesses and organizations supplying all their business printing needs. Over the years he accumulated a unique collection of photos of the Harrison County area and most especially of Clarksburg. He put all of his collection on discs. He then made a "Top 100" of his collection of photos available for a showing for the public.
Tom Martin narrated this presentation offering his knowledge of each photos. He offered dates and bits of history for each photo and he did this from his own memory. Among his collection of photos were many historic buildings in the area which included the Arcade, Union Protestant Hospital, the train station, and many scenes from Main and Pike Streets in Clarksburg. Some of the buildings are still standing but many have been demolished. What remains of these structures for historical purposed are these photos and the narrative offered by Mr. Martin. He ended his presentation with a collection of photos of the Cavallaro family, his in laws, and their history dating back to Italy. Several members of the Cavallaro family were in attendance as was Mr. Martin's wife, Louise, and their children.
A very special anniversary wish this week for Tom and his wife on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary.
It is the hope of the PWA that soon they will be able to produce some of Tom's photos and sponsor an exhibit where individuals can view them.
Prior to the photo presentation, the PWA hosted an interesting slide show of photos and a brief documentary of the immigration to America by Italians. That presentation featured photos of families who lived in San Giovanni and immigrated to the United States, many of whom settled right here in North Central West Virginia. This show was narrated by Pietro Mazza who is a frequent visitor to the Italian Festival and who resides in San Giovanni in Fiore.
Present at the showings was Jason and Sarah Young who offered information of the Vintage Theatre Group's upcoming fall schedule. Vintage Theater now occupies the Second Floor of the PWA's Uptown Event
Center.
Gabe Akers. PWA Director, assisted both Martin and Mazza in the preparation and presentation of the shows. The PWA offered refreshments to those in attendance and assisting with the reception was Frankie Tonelli, Patty Martino and Leona Auvil.
Keep in touch and I hope that you are all getting the Grapevine these days, I know that many of you are not but I will continue to try to get it to you. Keep in good health and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."
.jpg)
Leave a Comment
Log in or create an account to post a comment.