Exploring the Ward House

Along Old Route 40 in Greenup, Illinois, part of the National Historic Road that acted as a highway for covered wagons and pioneers, is a large, stately brick home.  Ever since I can remember, the home has been abandoned which I’ve always thought was sad.  This year we learned that the house and property had…

Trip to Rural Illinois – 2013

Most years we try to make our annual pilgrimage to Cumberland County, Illinois during fair week.  Here are some photos from this year’s trip.                        

The Case of the Missing Mother – Cabinet Card

Thanks to QuelleBooks, I’m obsessed with finding these “Missing Mother” portraits.  According to the fascinating and unnerving post on Retronaut, “This was a practice where the mother, often disguised or hiding, often under a spread, holds her baby tightly for the photographer to insure a sharply focused image.”  Some are more subtle than others and it’s…

DAY SIX of RURAL ILLINOIS 2012

August 24, 2012 After lunch and taking in a few harness races at the fair, we drove up to Tuscola to see a new store called Vintage Karma.  Ainslie and Laura, the owners, were so welcoming and friendly.  They have a great thing going there on Sale Street. The shop features work by several artists…