Tom Lussier Photography
Autumn Frontier
Historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is one of those places that have deep roots in America's growth. Early in it's life it was the start point of explorers Lewis & Clark, charged by Jefferson to explore and map the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory, find a practical route across the Western half of the continent, and establish an American presence in this territory before Britain and other European powers tried to claim it. Sounds easy. Not! Anyway, it's a beautifully restored and maintained place, abounding in period buildings, stone walls and two rivers merging. It had been way too long since I last visited and jumped at the suggestion from my brothers about where we should go to shoot.
Some interesting, and possibly surprising, facts about Harpers Ferry :
- visited by George Washington on his very first surveying expedition at the age of 17.
- was cited by Thomas Jefferson, after a visit, as such a beautiful spot that it was worth a trip across the Atlantic.
- was the starting place of the Lewis and Clarke expedition.
- was the site of the first crossing of the Potomac by a railroad, on the first structural steel bridge in the world.
- was the industrial town where using interchangeable parts in a manufacturing process was first invented and proven practical.
- was the site of the John Brown raid which precipitated the Civil War.
- was the first command of Stonewall Jackson, who raised and trained his famed Brigade here.
- was the site of three Civil War battles, the major one involving over 30,000 troops on both sides which resulted in the largest surrender of US troops until Bataan in WWII.
- was a bastion of elevating African Americans, with the first real academic college (Storer College) to educate freed slaves in all aspects of higher learning, rather than sewing and other trades.
- was the site of the Founding in the US of the Niagara movement, which later evolved into the NAACP.
- was a town which, despite unfortunate racism by some, way before its time encouraged African-American entrepreneurs, one of whom built and managed the fabled Hilltop House Hotel.
- was a major retreat center in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century for many notables, including seven presidents, Mark Twain, and many others.
- was cited by art history experts as the most "painted town" in America, because of its spectacular scenery.
Single exposure, Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-85, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 200, polarizer.
All of my images are protected by United States and international copyright laws. They may be reproduced only with written permission. Copyright © 2013 Tom Lussier Photography. All rights reserved.
While the photos are listed as "public", they are not public domain, nor are they free stock images. Use without written consent by the author is illegal and punishable by law. If you want to use any of my images, for any reason, please send me an email first. Thank you.
Autumn Frontier
Historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is one of those places that have deep roots in America's growth. Early in it's life it was the start point of explorers Lewis & Clark, charged by Jefferson to explore and map the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory, find a practical route across the Western half of the continent, and establish an American presence in this territory before Britain and other European powers tried to claim it. Sounds easy. Not! Anyway, it's a beautifully restored and maintained place, abounding in period buildings, stone walls and two rivers merging. It had been way too long since I last visited and jumped at the suggestion from my brothers about where we should go to shoot.
Some interesting, and possibly surprising, facts about Harpers Ferry :
- visited by George Washington on his very first surveying expedition at the age of 17.
- was cited by Thomas Jefferson, after a visit, as such a beautiful spot that it was worth a trip across the Atlantic.
- was the starting place of the Lewis and Clarke expedition.
- was the site of the first crossing of the Potomac by a railroad, on the first structural steel bridge in the world.
- was the industrial town where using interchangeable parts in a manufacturing process was first invented and proven practical.
- was the site of the John Brown raid which precipitated the Civil War.
- was the first command of Stonewall Jackson, who raised and trained his famed Brigade here.
- was the site of three Civil War battles, the major one involving over 30,000 troops on both sides which resulted in the largest surrender of US troops until Bataan in WWII.
- was a bastion of elevating African Americans, with the first real academic college (Storer College) to educate freed slaves in all aspects of higher learning, rather than sewing and other trades.
- was the site of the Founding in the US of the Niagara movement, which later evolved into the NAACP.
- was a town which, despite unfortunate racism by some, way before its time encouraged African-American entrepreneurs, one of whom built and managed the fabled Hilltop House Hotel.
- was a major retreat center in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century for many notables, including seven presidents, Mark Twain, and many others.
- was cited by art history experts as the most "painted town" in America, because of its spectacular scenery.
Single exposure, Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-85, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 200, polarizer.
All of my images are protected by United States and international copyright laws. They may be reproduced only with written permission. Copyright © 2013 Tom Lussier Photography. All rights reserved.
While the photos are listed as "public", they are not public domain, nor are they free stock images. Use without written consent by the author is illegal and punishable by law. If you want to use any of my images, for any reason, please send me an email first. Thank you.