Capturing the Past

The Historical Society of Baltimore County's new exhibit, Pictures of Life on a Baltimore County Farm (1875-1950), opened on Halloween at the group's museum.

The exhibit documents agricultural life in the county, paying particular attention to how farms are laid out, different livestock, the development of "scientific farming methods," the Baltimore County Public Schools curriculum on elementary agriculture and racism associated with one notable agricultural authority of the time. 

Greeting visitors at the entrance of the exhibit reception Kathy Aspden, the group's 55-year-old cataloger. Aspden provided information about the building and its neighboring facilities and was open to questions anyone might have.  When asked what she enjoyed the most about working at the HSBC, she said, "I like best getting people excited about their connection to society and the past, making people feel like they belong and reminding them that they're Baltimoreans and this is where they come from." 

The exhibit provides "a glimpse of Baltimore County history in approximately 50 photos that best show the area's attributes," said Glenn Johnston, president of the society and head archivist at Stevenson University.  

Standing in front of a crowd of about 40 people, Johnston stressed how important it is to preserve our surroundings, our environment. 

"They [the photos] show stuff that you just can't see anymore," he said.  His Stevenson students helped choose the pictures.  Water mills, slaughterhouses, cows, chickens and landscapes from all seasons graced the dimly lit walls of the exhibit.

The exhibit is presented rather modestly. The framing and lighting of the photographs was plain. Back in the 1940s they would have just been regular pictures, but over time the compositions gain a certain eloquence.  Some of the photos had been altered slightly, some with added contrast and some slightly blown up. 

Adam Youssi, 29, the society's head administrator, shared the excitement of the afternoon.

"It's another piece of our collective human past that helps reveal who we are, who we were, and where we came from," Youssi said.  "The small family-run farm was a good chunk of that community, but not today.  This exhibit is a remembrance of our past that shouldn't be forgotten." 

In his administrative work, Mr. Youssi tries to keep people involved.  "Facilitate community involvement, community interest," he said. 

A graduate of the University of Maryland, Youssi mentioned that the medium used to capture these moments in time is history itself. 

The acclaimed historian John McGrain was on hand as well.  In his blue and gray argyle sweater and white baseball cap, the 79-year-old demonstrated an expert command of the topic. He is the former secretary of the Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission. Jumping from one story to the next, he rattled off facts and details about the area. His particular interest lies in the water mills of the region.

"I started taking pictures of mills in 1964, and their technology, the way they worked, was very interesting to me," McGrain said. "As you start getting into business and documenting, you start connecting with people all over the world."

While it appears that the county has changed drastically over the past century, Mike Spencer, 59, a member of the HSBC and president of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, said there has been one constant.  

"York Road hasn't changed a bit," said Spencer, glancing at a dated Picture of the road. "It's still bumper to bumper, yesterday, today, tomorrow."