Museum Strathroy-Caradoc is hosting a gala event to celebrate a unique collection of photographs that remained hidden for nearly 110 years.
Scheduled for the evening of October 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the R.S. Williams Gala will include wine, hors d’ouvres, a photo booth, and a silent auction. The event, organized by the Museum Foundation, will also feature displays of vintage camera equipment and a never-before-seen selection of photos developed from the R.S. Williams glass plate negatives.
The collection of 3,000 negatives arrived at Museum Strathroy-Caradoc in the fall of 2011 after they were discovered in a sealed attic above Bossons Pharmacy in Strathroy. The glass plate negatives were remnants of Roger Sifton Williams’ photography studio, which operated between 1900 and 1905 above Stepler’s Drug Store on Front Street (now Bosson’s Pharmacy).
The Museum Foundation hopes to raise $3,000 to purchase cleaning materials and archival envelopes to properly store and catalogue the collection. Attendees of the gala event will get the first glimpse of photos developed from the glass plate negatives.
Following the gala, the R.S. Williams photo exhibit will open to the public on October 7 and remain on display at the museum until mid-November. To purchase tickets to the gala ($30/each) or to donate directly to the project, contact Foundation president Jim Nolan at (519) 246-1263. Tickets can also be purchased by cash (exact change only please) or cheque at the museum office at 34 Frank Street from Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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