Montgomery County,
1900-1930:
Through the Lens of Lewis Reed
Meet Lewis Reed:
Meet Lewis Reed:
pioneer automobile dealer and one of the most prolific photographers in Montgomery County at the turn of the 20th Century.
pioneer automobile dealer and one of the most prolific photographers in Montgomery County at the turn of the 20th Century.
Photographer Lewis Reed and his brother Edgar.
At the turn of the last century, roughly between 1900 and 1930, photographer and Montgomery County native Lewis Reed took excursions all over the state of Maryland on his motorcycle with his camera, capturing landscapes, monuments, historical places, people, and anything else that caught his attention.
At the turn of the last century, roughly between 1900 and 1930, photographer and Montgomery County native Lewis Reed took excursions all over the state of Maryland on his motorcycle with his camera, capturing landscapes, monuments, historical places, people, and anything else that caught his attention.
A self-taught photographer, he used a darkroom set up in his kitchen, sometimes working late into the night to develop the day's negatives.
A self-taught photographer, he used a darkroom set up in his kitchen, sometimes working late into the night to develop the day's negatives.
The Lewis Reed Photograph Collection, under the thoughtful stewardship of Reed's granddaughter Jeanne Gartner, includes over 2,500 photographs, depicting some of the earliest known images of Montgomery County. In addition, Montgomery History holds a collection of 280 glass plate negatives by Reed, some of which are also represented here.
The Lewis Reed Photograph Collection, under the thoughtful stewardship of Reed's granddaughter Jeanne Gartner, includes over 2,500 photographs, depicting some of the earliest known images of Montgomery County. In addition, Montgomery History holds a collection of 280 glass plate negatives by Reed, some of which are also represented here.
The collection is a remarkable slice of photographic history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, capturing scenes from all facets of rural Maryland life: families posed in front of their homes, people with their pets, farm animals, early cars and motorcycles, and rare local outdoor scenes and streetscapes.
The collection is a remarkable slice of photographic history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, capturing scenes from all facets of rural Maryland life: families posed in front of their homes, people with their pets, farm animals, early cars and motorcycles, and rare local outdoor scenes and streetscapes.
Reed's photography has appeared as a resource in many highly regarded local historical publications and in historical television programming.
Reed's photography has appeared as a resource in many highly regarded local historical publications and in historical television programming.
Rare view inside a blacksmith shop, circa 1898. The younger lad is Lewis Reed, and he likely took this photo himself: setting the camera up on a tripod, and then running quickly into the shot before the shutter went off.
Our presentation of the Lewis Reed collection features his photography in several themed exhibitions. For more information on the life and career of Lewis Reed, read his biographical page (The Life Behind the Lens), or continue to one of our exhibitions on transportation, recreation, daily life, community, or photo-magic. Through the lens of Lewis Reed, we see that Montgomery County’s history is America’s history.
Our presentation of the Lewis Reed collection features his photography in several themed exhibitions. For more information on the life and career of Lewis Reed, read his biographical page (The Life Behind the Lens), or continue to one of our exhibitions on transportation, recreation, daily life, community, or photo-magic. Through the lens of Lewis Reed, we see that Montgomery County’s history is America’s history.
Use the menu bar at top to navigate through the various pages and their photographic contents.
Use the menu bar at top to navigate through the various pages and their photographic contents.
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