When Joni Mitchell sang, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” she sure got it right.
Repeatedly, the words “razed” and “parking lot” are used to describe the fate of old buildings in the archival photo stories told by Valley historians Scott Hamilton Suter and Cheryl Lyon in their volumes of the Images of America series and Places, Faces, and Traces.
“That was intentional,” says Suter, “because I was trying to make people feel guilty.”
As self-proclaimed preservationists, Suter and Lyon worked together to assemble the perfect collection of photographs to tell the stories of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Through these stories, they convey the importance of protecting the past and recording the present.
| From the Author: With each new parking lot and shopping center, the rich history of the Valley is becoming lost amongst the transformations. Attempting to slow the process, two local historians have written three books showcasing the Valley's precious past with photographs of what used to be. In this story from Curio magazine, Scott Hamilton Suter and Cheryl Lyon have the chance to share their own histories and concerns for the future. Both active members of the community, Suter, an assistant English professor at Bridgewater College, and Lyon, owner of LDA Creations, say they hope to raise awareness of the value of historical artifacts. With the popularity of their books, their goal may be reached. And as a perfect example of preserving the past, Lyon tells about her renovation of the Silver Lake Mill. Take a look at the photo slideshow and links to find out more. |
