Historic Hood River
Grandma ‘Flo and Fritz
Notes
Today you learn the history of the 600+ glass plate negatives in the W.F. Laraway collection. It’s hard to think of this little girl as “Grandma ‘Flo,” but that’s who she would become, and she would play a critical part in helping this collection survive the years.
Florence Adah Cooper was W.F. Laraway’s grandaughter (daughter’s daughter). She was, in turn, Grandmother to Dean Fletcher (her son’s son). Sometime in the 1960s or 70s “Grandma Flo” supported her grandson’s interest in photography by giving him a box of her Grandfather’s negatives. He didn’t do much with them at the time, (old negatives aren’t easy to print with “modern” photographic paper) but about 30 years later he became interested in family genealogy. He learned there were many more Laraway negatives, and he was able to pull them together. I am told many of them were in boxes packed with sawdust in a barn. One of Laraway’s descendants admits to using some for target practice. But eventually Dean had about 670 negatives and other family documents.
He thoroughly researched the images he had collected, and then worked with a skilled photographer to print a selection of the negatives for a book he self-published in 2000. It was through this book I became familiar with the collection (the museum has a copy). I learned Dean was looking for a permanent home for his collection, so I met with him in 2017. He was looking for a place where the negatives would be shared and appreciated, and he was especially interested in seeing the images shown so the public would learn about his great great Grandfather’s artistry.
I was able to show Dean how we cared for the other photographic collections in our custody, and agreed we should do a major museum exhibit on Laraway’s images. Dean was also interested in getting the consent of some of the other Laraway descendants, so our museum director started talking with family members. Unfortunately, before we could finish making the arrangements Dean Fletcher passed away. Then Covid hit and museum activities slowed to a crawl, but eventually we were able to get back to work. The family members dropped by the museum this week with two very heavy totes full of glass plates. We discussed how the collection would be cared for, and they graciously agreed to donate the collection to the Museum.
Dean Fetcher did a great job organizing the collection. Each negative has a serial number, and his book is a guide to his extensive research. This negative is number A-548, and in Dean’s book bears the caption, “Florence Adah Cooper and Fritz. W. F. signed the negative (lower left).” This makes my job easier, though there are still plenty of mysteries for us to work on.
You’ll notice I am presenting these images “full frame” including the edges of the glass plates. I usually crop out rough edges on this site, especially since the format width is limited, but Dean believed these images were intended to be seen as contact prints in an era before enlargers. I think you’ll see that’s a good call with this collection. Laraway knew exactly what his camera would capture, and that’s what his family and neighbors would see, so that’s what I’ll share with you. That won’t stop me from sharing some amazing details hidden in some of the frames, but you’ll always get to see the frame as W.F. intended it.
Thanks to Grandma Flo and Dean Fletcher and many other family members we get to start the process of sharing the photography of W.F. Laraway with a worldwide audience.
Charlott
Beautiful and all telling of the times. I love the little wagon and those shoes are something else. You can tell she has put many miles on them. The usual home made swing for a little girl. Swings were an essential part of a farm child’s life. Later you could see many old worn out tires used as swings. You still see them here and there….. There was one of the big oak tree in our back yard for many years. There is now a swing somewhat similiar to this one in it’ place.
nels
Do those eyes show a family trait? Compare to yesterday’s photo.
Kyle
I’m so excited for this series to unfold.
L.E.
I feel blessed to have access to this history. The fact that Laraway was so professional in his photos, the family has shared them, the museum is caring for them and Arthur with his love of history and photography knowledge is giving us the opportunity to view them online.
Thank you to all.
I had a swing just like that, built by my grandpa. Yes, you had to adjust the board, when you wanted to swing. I also had one where the board had two holes. The ropes went through the holes with a knot underneath. You didn’t have to adjust that one.
Will
This is definitely the cutest picture you have posted. Swing looks like a scrap of castoff shiplap from a house project.
ArthurB
W.F. Laraway was definitely skilled at the cute kids portraits. There are many great ones in the collection. He always included a something like a pet or a toy which make them that much more interesting after 100 years.
Stever
Another neat part of the wood swing is the rope that appears to be hanging off of it – likely used to snap or swing someone just a tad bit higher …
Oh and YES ! Three cheers to Arthur B and the support of the HRM !
Hip Hip Hooray ! – Hip Hip Hooray ! – Hip Hip Hooray !!!
Jim Mason
tree swing off an oak tree/a girl and her dog/stuffed animal, and wagon – same scene playing out in our backyard in 2021
Del
thanks for your efforts in preserving these
Stephanie Fincher
Florence’s mother was Cora Laraway Cooper, sister of Percy and first cousin to my grandmother, Adah. There is photo of them together both holding a teddy bear. I’ve long wondered if they weren’t Steif bears.
Stephanie Fincher
Florence’s mother was Cora Laraway Cooper, sister of Percy and first cousin to my grandmother, Adah. There is photo of them together both holding a teddy bear. I’ve long wondered if they weren’t Steiff bears.
Stephanie Fincher
Florence’s mother was Cora Laraway Cooper, sister of Percy and first cousin to my grandmother, Adah. There is photo of them together both holding a teddy bear. I’ve long wondered if they weren’t Steiff bears.