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Montgomery History Online Exhibit: Montgomery County, Then and Now

Montgomery County Then & Now

Montgomery County, Then and Now: Photography of Lewis Reed and Barry Gartner

Opened December 6, 2023
Curated by Jeanne Gartner and Sarah Hedlund

Montgomery County: Then and Now, offers a captivating visual journey through more than a century of local history, told through rare photographs by Lewis Reed and his grandson Barry Gartner. This site presents side-by-side comparisons of historic scenes photographed by Reed between 1900 and 1930 and contemporary color images recreated from those same vantage points by Gartner in 2023, illustrating the dramatic changes, and sometimes surprising continuities, in the landscape, infrastructure, and community life of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Visitors are invited to explore stories behind each image, discovering the evolving character of familiar places as trees mature, buildings disappear, roads shift, and horse-drawn buggies give way to automobiles. The exhibit also delves into the personal histories of its featured photographers: Lewis Reed, remembered for his pioneering photography before founding Reed Brothers Dodge in 1915, and Barry Gartner, a third-generation owner who honors his grandfather’s legacy through both automotive restoration and modern photography.

A unique feature of the exhibit is the interactive map links accompanying each photo pair, allowing viewers to pinpoint the exact locations where history meets the present moment. Through this dynamic blend of archival and modern visuals, Montgomery County: Then and Now deepens our appreciation for local heritage and the passage of time, connecting generations through the lens of two accomplished photographers dedicated to capturing the changing face of their community.

This online exhibit opened December 6, 2023, and is thoughtfully curated by Jeanne Gartner and Sarah Hedlund, providing rich historical context and insight into the fascinating process of recreating these historical photographs. The full exhibition is available online at https://sites.google.com/view/mocothenandnow/home

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About Reed Brothers

I am a co-owner of the former Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville, Maryland. Lewis Reed, the founder of Reed Brothers Dodge was my grandfather. We were a family-owned and operated car dealership in Rockville for almost a century. I served in the United States Air Force for 30 years before retiring in the top enlisted grade of Chief Master Sergeant in July 2006. In 2016, I received the Arthur M. Wagman Award for Historic Preservation Communication from Peerless Rockville for documenting the history of Reed Brothers Dodge in both blog and book format. This distinguished honor recognizes outstanding achievement by writers, educators, and historians whose work has heightened public awareness of Rockville’s architectural and cultural heritage, growth and development.

2 responses to “Montgomery History Online Exhibit: Montgomery County, Then and Now”

  1. Jonathan B. (Jack) Richards II's avatar
    Jonathan B. (Jack) Richards II says :

    I wish to compliment you and your brother for juxtaposing the photo images of “then and now” in the four communities which you chose to present. My overall reaction is one of sorrow when I am forced to realize the extreme changes wrought over the last century plus. As always thanks to you for preserving and nicely presenting the history of Montgomery County, Maryland.

    Reply
    • Reed Brothers's avatar
      Reed Brothers says :

      Hello Jonathan! I always enjoy looking back at the past and seeing how everything we know today once was. Some locations have been substantially modified; some have, for the most part remained the same, and others are gone entirely. Pretty fascinating. As always, thank you for reading and leaving your very kind comment.

      My very best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!

      Best Regards,
      Jeanne

      Reply

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