Saving Our History One Photo At Time

Imagine a world without photographs. No captured memories, no visual documentation of our past. Our history would be left to nothing but words and imagination. Thankfully, the art of photography has allowed us to freeze moments in time and preserve them for future generations. Each photograph is like a time capsule, carrying with it the stories, emotions, and culture of its subjects. In a world where everything is disposable and fleeting, it is crucial that we take the time to save our history, one photo at a time.

Photographs serve as a reflection of society, providing insight into the lives of our ancestors and the world they lived in. They capture the essence of a moment, frozen in time forever. Whether it's a photograph of a family gathering, a historical event, or a breathtaking natural landscape, each image tells a story that deserves to be preserved.

Old family photo albums serve as a precious link to our past. They hold memories of our loved ones, both those still with us and those who have long passed. These albums are a representation of who we are and where we come from. Without them, we would lose a part of our identity and the stories that shaped us.

Port Colborne Ontario Book 1 in Colour Photos: Saving Our History One Photo at a Time

by Barbara Raue (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2924 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	91 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	240 pages
Item Weight	:	1.06 pounds
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.8 x 9 inches

FREE

Preserving our history is not only important for personal reasons, but also for the benefit of society as a whole. By documenting our past, we can learn from our mistakes, celebrate our victories, and pass on valuable knowledge to future generations. History has a tendency to repeat itself, and through photographs, we can ensure that the lessons learned from our past are not forgotten.

Unfortunately, photographs are not immune to the effects of time. They can deteriorate, fade, or be lost forever due to mishandling or natural disasters. It is crucial that we take the necessary steps to protect and preserve these fragile pieces of our history.

One way to safeguard our photographs is by digitizing them. Scanning old photographs and storing them digitally ensures that even if the physical copies are damaged, the memories they hold can be preserved. Numerous software and online platforms provide user-friendly tools for digitizing and organizing your photos, making it easier to share and access them whenever needed.

Another essential step in preserving our history is proper storage. The environment in which photographs are kept plays a significant role in their longevity. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, or fluctuations in temperature. Acid-free archival-quality albums, sleeves, and boxes are recommended for physical storage, as they help slow down the degradation process.

Renowned cultural institutions, such as museums and libraries, have dedicated departments that work tirelessly to protect and preserve historical photographs. Their expertise and resources ensure that these invaluable pieces of our past are carefully stored, digitized, and made accessible for research and educational purposes. Collaborating with these organizations can provide valuable guidance on best practices for preserving your own personal collection.

As individuals, we also have a responsibility to save our history in the form of photographs. By capturing moments that are significant to us and our communities, we contribute to the tapestry of our shared past. Every picture has the potential to become a cherished artifact, telling a unique story that might otherwise have been forgotten.

So, next time you reach for your camera or phone, think about the impact your photograph might have in the future. Take the time to properly document the stories unfolding around you, preserving a piece of history for generations to come. Your snapshots may seem insignificant now, but they have the power to shape the understanding of our past. Let's embrace the responsibility of saving our history, one photo at a time.

Port Colborne Ontario Book 1 in Colour Photos: Saving Our History One Photo at a Time

by Barbara Raue (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2924 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	91 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	240 pages
Item Weight	:	1.06 pounds
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.8 x 9 inches

FREE

Port Colborne is a city on Lake Erie, at the southern end of the Welland Canal. The original settlement, known as Gravelly Bay after the shallow, bedrock-floored bay upon which it sits, dates from 1832 and was renamed after Sir John Colborne, a British war hero and the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada at the time of the opening of the southern terminus of the First Welland Canal in 1833 when it was extended to reach Lake Erie.During the 1880s, American tourists from the southern states began building vacation homes on the lakeshore of the western edge of the town. Before long, an entire gated community of vacationers from the south called Port Colborne their home during the summer months. Today, the picturesque street of Tennessee Avenue is still home to many of these original vacation homes and buildings, as well as the original stone and wrought iron resort gates. The street boasts some immaculately maintained examples of late 19th and early 20th century Southern architecture.The Welland Canal was originally established as a solution to summer water shortages that plagued a grist mill operation near St. Catharines. William Hamilton Merritt, the mill owner, diverted water from the Welland River into Twelve Mile Creek. He wanted to make the channel deep enough to allow boats to pass through a series of locks down the escarpment into Twelve Mile Creek and on to Lake Ontario.The International Nickel Company (now Vale) has been one of the city's main employers since the opening of a refinery in 1918. Taking advantage of inexpensive hydroelectricity from generating stations at nearby Niagara Falls, the refinery produced electro-refined nickel for the war effort, and continues in operation today.Port Colborne was one of the hardest hit communities during the blizzard of 1977. Thousands of people were stranded when the city was paralyzed during the storm.Maritime commerce, including supplying goods to the camps for the laborers who worked on the first canal, ship repair and the provisioning trade, was, and still is, an important part of Port Colborne’s economy. Port Colborne was a heavily industrial city throughout most of the early twentieth century. A grain elevator, two modern flour mills, a Vale nickel refinery, a cement plant and a blast furnace were major employers. Several of these operations have closed over the past thirty years, while others employ a lot less residents due to modernization and cutbacks.Port Colborne has been successful in attracting agro-business operations which process corn into products such as sweeteners and citric acid. The economy has gradually shifted towards tourism and recreation, taking advantage of the scenic beauty of the lakeshore.The Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum, located near the centre of town, is a resource for local history and archival research. In addition to a collection of historic buildings and artifacts, it opened up the "Marie Semley Research Wing" to foster research into local history; it was named to commemorate the long-standing efforts of a local resident who devoted hours to the museum.