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Beyond Brady at Pamplin Historical Park |
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An innovative new exhibition co-produced by the Center of Civil War Photography at Pamplin Historical Park in Petersburg, Va., dramatically shows how Civil War photography was far more varied and complex than the legacy left by its singularly famous practitioner, Mathew B. Brady.
Beyond Brady: Photography in the Civil War Era opened on October 4, 2008 at Pamplin Historical Park and The Museum of The Civil War Soldier and will be on display through September 2009.
This 1,500 square-foot interactive exhibit features more than 130 artifacts and images and covers all aspects of photography before and during the war, including how photographs were made and used, who made them, and what they meant to people then and now.
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As the exhibition’s opening statement says: “Civil War photography changed how Americans perceived warfare, while providing photographers with a means to expand their documentation of the American experience. The story of Civil War photography goes far beyond its most famous name, Mathew Brady, to include a cast of thousands, preserving a legacy of scenes and faces that continue to captivate us and teach us today.”
The centerpiece of the exhibit is a reproduction photo wagon with a darkroom built into the back. Visitors can see through the side of the wagon to view the photographer’s workspace in the field. Next to the wagon is an original Civil War era wet plate camera. Visitors can look into the back of the camera and see the view through the lens.
The exhibit features a reproduction of a photo wagon with a darkroom built into the back.
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| The exhibit features a reproduction of a photo wagon with a darkroom built into the back. |
The exhibition also features a video on how to make a Civil War-era photo and a large wall-mounted television monitor with a program of 3D photos that visitors see using 3D glasses provided at the display. Beyond Brady also features more than 50 original Civil War photos, including a wall of original Civil War documentary photos and a large selection of portraits. Other exhibits include a hand-cranked stereo viewer with reproduction Civil War images and an original daguerreotype from the California Gold Rush.
“Understanding photography in its infancy will be new to many people.” said Randy Klemm, Curator of Pamplin Historical Park. “Visitors will get to see choice pieces from collectors across the nation and images that pre-date the Civil War.”
CCWP Image of War Seminar attendees take a sneak peak at the exhibit gallery on October 3.
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| CCWP Image of War Seminar attendees take a sneak peak at the exhibit gallery on October 3. |
Beyond Brady: Photography in the Civil War Era is open to the public daily in the History Center at Pamplin Historical Park in Petersburg, Virginia. Admission to the park, including Beyond Brady: Photography in the Civil War Era, is $15.00 for adults, $13.50 for seniors 65+ and military w/ID, and $9.00 for children ages 6-12. For more information about the park, visit www.pamplinpark.org or call 1-877-PAMPLIN.
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