Sunday, November 2, FALL MEETING!

Fall Meeting Focuses on 19^th-Century Hunterdon Photographers

Discover the fascinating history of early photographers in Hunterdon County, when HCHS welcomes Gary Saretzky, as our guest speaker at our annual fall meeting on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. in the Flemington Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.

In a profusely illustrated slide lecture, photo historian Saretzky will provide an overview of the way photographs were made in the 19th century, followed by a biographical presentation of selected photographers active from about 1850 in Hunterdon County, especially in Flemington, Lambertville, Clinton, and Frenchtown. About 90 professional photographers were based in Hunterdon in the 19th century. Among those covered in this lecture: Gideon C. Angle, Clinton; Frank Fritz, Lambertville; John and Mary Sunderlin, Flemington; and George W. Freeland, Milford and Frenchtown.

Saretzky is an archivist, educator, and photographer. He worked as an archivist for more than 50 years at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Educational Testing Service, and the Monmouth County Archives. Saretzky taught the history of photography at Mercer County Community College, 1977-2012, and served as coordinator of the Public History Internship Program for the Rutgers University History Department, 1994-2016. He has published more than 100 articles and reviews on the history of photography, photographic conservation, and other topics.

Saretzky noted that some takeaways from the program include: The role of professional photographers in small towns during the era when most people did not have their own cameras, and how the appearance of people and places in New Jersey have changed with the passage of time.

 

“Photographers varied quite a bit in their personal lives,” Saretzky added. “While most photographers were men, some women had significant careers in photography.”

The program is free; everyone is welcome. The church’s Fellowship Hall is accessible to all. Refreshments will be served.