Historic Round Top Photo Exhibit Draws Large Crowd for Grand Opening Sunday
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A photograph of Friederike Recknagel and family in a garden setting was featured in a New York Times article in 1975. The photo is now part of the collection of the Round Top Area Historical Society.
The Round Top Area Historical Society had its grand opening of its historic photographic exhibit on Sunday afternoon May 24 in the Jaehne Pavilion on the RTAHS campus at 397 E. Mill Street in Round Top.
A large crowd was in attendance for this exhibit and champagne reception. Mayor Vincent said “this exhibit is more than just a display… it is a living reminder of the resilience, value and character that built our community. It connects our past with our present and helps ensure that our children and grandchildren will know and appreciate the rich legacy they have inherited.”
Two previews of this exhibit were given to the Fayette County Historical Commission on Monday, May 18 and to the Daughters of the American Revolution Smith-McMillan Chapter on Saturday, May 23.
The exhibit will continue until mid- August. The public is welcome to the RTAHS campus every Saturday in June and July from 1 to 4 pm. Private showings can be made upon request.
This exhibit celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary and honors three important early photographers in 50-195 (Rev.10-25/25) [41.41,41.70]
the Round Top area, namely, Gustav Froelich, Friederike Recknagel and Robert Fulton Adams. The time spans 60 years from 1866 to the 1920s and features members of the African American community and two of its outstanding educators.
Twenty-one of Friederike Recknagel’s photographs along with an array of Round Top area furniture and artifacts were featured in a large 1975 exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
These were all a part of the Faith Bybee collection and received recognition as well in a “special edition” of the New York Times on February 24, 1975. The Times article written by John Russell claimed the Boston exhibit as a “hit,” and out of its complete collection, which was featured in a 220-page book, Russell chose only one example and that was a Round Top photograph taken by Friederike Recknagel and her family in a garden setting.
That same original photograph (copy restored) from the Boston exhibit is now in the collection of the RTAHS and on current display in Round Top along with the 1975 book and Times article.