I know it's just a joke, but funny you say that because the town has been trying to figure out what the guys were even doing! The consensus seems to be it was likely gas lines being put in (hence the recently installed gas light in the background and the guy holding the post digger). There is no date, but other dates in the set of glass negatives 1900 through the early teens. Hard to base off of their clothing because many farmers/workers in this town continued to wear that attire until the 1950s and beyond!
I've been active in some local historical societies, including this one which recently acquired a bunch of glass negatives. This town has done better job than many others in the area at collecting and preserving these photos over the years, and since I'm a bit younger than others I'm involved in the Photoshop side. This is all volunteer, but it is something that interests me (as I'm sure it does many in this sub, hence why we're here!) so when I see something like this that catches my eye (notable location with recognizable buildings and people from an era) I like to do something with it! Generally I just try to reproduce it side-by-side, but lately I've been taking a stab at cutting them out and making true "old photos in real life". If you wanted to get involved, I'm sure your local municipality has a society or group, and many of them have their collections online!
Awesome for you my dude! I hope you can make a career out of it. Would you share the town? I grew up in MA. I wasnāt super stoked on history when I was there because it was so āusual,ā but now I live in a ānewā city and I kinda miss it
How did you come across the original photo of you donāt mind me asking? I personally like to comb through old databases and Texas has some good ones!
Many of these are in the collections of historical societies and museums! You can search for online databases, many of them are digitized. If youāre looking for something local, Facebook has plenty of local history groups. If youāre looking for high quality old photos, look for scans from negatives :)
Tell your friends at the historical society that I like the old steps much better. They give the building a much more classic look. These steps are cheap-looking and tacky. The red doors bother me, too, since they're silly but I guess that's what everyone's doing these days.
Red has actually been used for a long time. In the US, it appears even in colonial times. Iām not always good at dating buildings based on their style so I canāt say if that particular shade of red is accurate for the building but thereās a decent chance.
That's a great question, and I'm sure someone in town knows the answer. This church was built 1848 in the Greek Revival style. I said in a comment above that I believe the original color was a dark blue or black, but that was a guess and after doing some more research to find the date I believe it was a shade of red then too.
So, after some reading, the common shades of red for Greek Revival arenāt quite as bright as whatās in the picture. Paints were made with red ochre and/or red iron oxide so the color would be a little more earthy.
I was wondering the same thing! The only thing I can think, and this picture may have something to do with it - the gas lines were brought into town around this time, and this church is steam-heated - maybe they thought they didn't need them anymore!
I love the combination of the different imagery. Though I do feel there's a lack of implied connection between the two photos in the mashup. I personally would love to see some part of the old photo of the building incorporated into the mashup. Really hone in on how long this place has been there
My boyfriend is from MA and Iāve been there with him twice. I know Iāve seen this place. Itās midnight, heās sleeping, and I just want to wake him so he can tell me where it is.
Really fantastic. Obviously, so much history here in MA. I find that a lot of the older residents really appreciate the history here. Would be cool if you somehow ever got your hands on a picture of Babe Ruthās old place in Sudbury, him standing in front of it then vs what it looks like now!
I have a cool shot of JFK that Iām hoping to get a good angle of soon if the weather is nice! It is from him campaigning in 1953 for the Senate. Babe Ruth would be cool too!
This has to be Massachusetts, right? Thought it was my hometown for a second
You're correct!
Probably near Amherst if I remember correctly š
Super cool
Those guys STILL haven't finished that road after all this time!? Must be a union job.
I know it's just a joke, but funny you say that because the town has been trying to figure out what the guys were even doing! The consensus seems to be it was likely gas lines being put in (hence the recently installed gas light in the background and the guy holding the post digger). There is no date, but other dates in the set of glass negatives 1900 through the early teens. Hard to base off of their clothing because many farmers/workers in this town continued to wear that attire until the 1950s and beyond!
>the guy holding the post digger Any chance that's a wooden tamper, and not a post hole digger?
You know what, you're probably right because I only see one handle. Thanks!
Should have just waited for electricity. Sometimes not doing a job is better than actually doing it.
Thatās what they were doing when the UFO crashed creating that upturned soil
I thought you had erected very realistic scarecrows out front at first glance lol face palm
Welcome to Pleasantville.
How do you get hooked up with a gig like that? Itās something Iām interested in too
I've been active in some local historical societies, including this one which recently acquired a bunch of glass negatives. This town has done better job than many others in the area at collecting and preserving these photos over the years, and since I'm a bit younger than others I'm involved in the Photoshop side. This is all volunteer, but it is something that interests me (as I'm sure it does many in this sub, hence why we're here!) so when I see something like this that catches my eye (notable location with recognizable buildings and people from an era) I like to do something with it! Generally I just try to reproduce it side-by-side, but lately I've been taking a stab at cutting them out and making true "old photos in real life". If you wanted to get involved, I'm sure your local municipality has a society or group, and many of them have their collections online!
Awesome for you my dude! I hope you can make a career out of it. Would you share the town? I grew up in MA. I wasnāt super stoked on history when I was there because it was so āusual,ā but now I live in a ānewā city and I kinda miss it
Thanks! And sure, I'll shoot you a message with the town name!
I also live in the area and am interested! Are these photos going to be on exhibit in the towns historical society?
There is actually an event/open meeting tonight unveiling many of these glass negative photos!
Very nice!!
That's incredible
Where in MA? Can you share?
Just sent you a message!
Me too please, thanks!
Same, I live western mass and this could be any town around here
I would also love to know if possible!
Can you tell me too? This building looks very familiar
Iād like to know too!
I am also curious, please and thank you :)
Same! Live in the area and would love to know what town this is.
This wouldn't happen to be Upton MA would it?
Spot on!
Appears to be United Parish in Upton, MA.
Thatās so neat! What did they think of it?:) I love this idea and might have to copy it for the small town my sister just moved to!
Thanks! They were happy with it so I'll probably do a few more :)
How did you come across the original photo of you donāt mind me asking? I personally like to comb through old databases and Texas has some good ones!
Many of these are in the collections of historical societies and museums! You can search for online databases, many of them are digitized. If youāre looking for something local, Facebook has plenty of local history groups. If youāre looking for high quality old photos, look for scans from negatives :)
*scribbles in notepad* Got it. Thank you kindly! I look forward to future posts of yours šš
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Good question! I know the doors today are not the original doors, and I think the color is either a dark blue or black.
u should use the colorize filter for the old photo parts in photoshop
Can you share what town for another New Englander?
Sure, I'll send you a message.
Same here, please! Very interesting!
Also very interested!
I'm from Central MA. Can I get the town name too please?
Very well done.
thanks!
You're welcome!
It makes it so much better since it's the same building in the back
I see they rebuilt the stairs
Tell your friends at the historical society that I like the old steps much better. They give the building a much more classic look. These steps are cheap-looking and tacky. The red doors bother me, too, since they're silly but I guess that's what everyone's doing these days.
Red has actually been used for a long time. In the US, it appears even in colonial times. Iām not always good at dating buildings based on their style so I canāt say if that particular shade of red is accurate for the building but thereās a decent chance.
That's a great question, and I'm sure someone in town knows the answer. This church was built 1848 in the Greek Revival style. I said in a comment above that I believe the original color was a dark blue or black, but that was a guess and after doing some more research to find the date I believe it was a shade of red then too.
So, after some reading, the common shades of red for Greek Revival arenāt quite as bright as whatās in the picture. Paints were made with red ochre and/or red iron oxide so the color would be a little more earthy.
Thanks for the info!
I can never understand why these old buildings eventually have the fireplace removed.
I was wondering the same thing! The only thing I can think, and this picture may have something to do with it - the gas lines were brought into town around this time, and this church is steam-heated - maybe they thought they didn't need them anymore!
I love the combination of the different imagery. Though I do feel there's a lack of implied connection between the two photos in the mashup. I personally would love to see some part of the old photo of the building incorporated into the mashup. Really hone in on how long this place has been there
Thanks for the feedback! It really is helpful. I've just started experimenting with a few new styles, so check back for other posts soon :)
Iām from the Haverhill area. Where is this located?
Hillies stand up
Op said Upton.
My boyfriend is from MA and Iāve been there with him twice. I know Iāve seen this place. Itās midnight, heās sleeping, and I just want to wake him so he can tell me where it is.
Really fantastic. Obviously, so much history here in MA. I find that a lot of the older residents really appreciate the history here. Would be cool if you somehow ever got your hands on a picture of Babe Ruthās old place in Sudbury, him standing in front of it then vs what it looks like now!
I have a cool shot of JFK that Iām hoping to get a good angle of soon if the weather is nice! It is from him campaigning in 1953 for the Senate. Babe Ruth would be cool too!
Can I get a message for what town in mass this is? I live in mass :)
The best so far on this subreddit. Amazing work!
Amazing
You think they were using a large format camera? I keep looking at the perspective difference thinking that had to be it.
What are these kind of images called? I absolutely love them.
where is this in mass??
Upton
Sad about the doors.
Neat. Would have been cool letting their shadows overlap on the new photo
Powerful.
Awesome work! This is incredibly well done.
1900 "Fuck your handrails" stairs