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May 15, 2025  

13 Years, 488 Posts & Thank You

This month marks the 13-year anniversary of this blog. It’s been an honor to share the history of Reed Brothers Dodge – whether you’ve read our blog, followed us on “X” (Twitter), or “liked” us on Facebook. I would like to thank all of you who have visited, followed, shared, or commented on this blog, and many others, for their kind words and the visibility they have provided.

Here’s a look back at the last year.

What People are Saying Around Facebook:

“Amazing blog and postings. I spent sometime reviewing your site and found it both fascinating and interesting.”
“I am thankful for the documentation this site provides with images of a beloved hometown that can no longer be seen.”
“Love seeing the old photos.”
“This is soooo cool! Someone needs to do one of those historical books of Historical Rockville photos!”
“These photos are absolutely awesome!!!”
“Thank you so much for sharing! This is classic Montgomery County info.”
“That was so cool reading all your memory posts. Best thing I’ve read on FB in a while.”
“I love seeing these old photos and reading the history. Thank you.”
“Thank you for this history. There is so much we take for granted.”
“Great historical photos from Reed Bros.”

Past Lectures:

History Conversations: The History of Reed Brothers Dodge
with Jeanne Gartner September 24, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. | Virtual Event |

The presentation features a unique collection of rare photographs taken by the dealership’s founder, Lewis Reed, and highlights how Reed Brothers Dodge came into being, and how the company overcame the inevitable changes and challenges throughout almost a century of being in business.

The email below was forwarded to me from Montgomery History who sponsored my virtual presentation on The History of Reed Brothers Dodge.

First Baptist Church of Rockville Senior Group Talk
Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. | On Location |

Presentation on the history of Reed Brothers Dodge as part of Montgomery History’s Speakers Bureau at the First Baptist Church of Rockville. A personal history for me, as well as community history for Montgomery County and the city of Rockville. Thanks to Ministry Assistant, Melanie Blankenship who invited me to speak.

New Online Exhibit: Reed Brothers Dodge: Montgomery County’s Oldest Dodge DealershipI appreciate all of you for your continued support and making Reed Brothers Dodge History one of the places you visit during the course of your day.

Thank you

Featured  

Montgomery History Online Exhibit: Reed Brothers Dodge

Reed Brothers Dodge history

Opened September 24, 2024
Curated by Jeanne Gartner and Sarah Hedlund

Montgomery History has unveiled a new online exhibition titled “Reed Brothers Dodge – Montgomery County’s Oldest Dodge Dealership.” Officially launched on September 24, 2024, the exhibition was co-curated by Jeanne Gartner, author of the Reed Brothers Dodge History blog and co-owner of the former dealership, in collaboration with Sarah Hedlund, Montgomery History’s Librarian and Archivist.

This digital exhibition presents a comprehensive narrative of Reed Brothers Dodge, tracing its evolution from its founding in the early twentieth century through its decades of service to the Montgomery County community. Organized into distinct historical periods, the exhibition highlights rare artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia; offering insights into not only the dealership’s operations but also broader cultural contexts such as automotive service, local sports, and mid-century fashion. The full exhibition is available online at https://sites.google.com/view/reedbrothersdodge/home

Jeanne Gartner, granddaughter of Lewis Reed, founder of Reed Brothers Dodge, serves as the curator and historian behind the Reed Brothers Dodge History blog. Honored with the 2016 Arthur M. Wagman Award for Historic Preservation Communication from Peerless Rockville, the blog functions as a living digital archive that preserves the dealership’s enduring legacy and its integral role in Montgomery County’s development. Since its debut in April 2012, the site has garnered more than half a million views, documenting over a century of the family business’s history, community engagement, and contributions to the American automobile industry. Drawing from Lewis Reed’s extensive photographic collection and business records, Gartner’s work offers a richly detailed portrait of local enterprise, early transportation, and the entrepreneurial spirit that helped shape both the region and the broader American story.

September 17, 2024  

History Conversations – The History of Reed Brothers Dodge

History Conversations | The History of Reed Brothers Dodge
with Jeanne Gartner, Blog author
Tuesday, September 24 at 2:00-3:00 p.m. | Virtual Event |

Super honored to be a featured speaker for this Montgomery History event taking place on Zoom next Tuesday, September 24 at 2:00 pm. The History of Reed Brothers Dodge is a personal history for me, as well as community history for Montgomery County, Maryland and the city of Rockville. Click the link for free registration https://montgomeryhistory.org/event/history-conversations-the-history-of-reed-brothers-dodge/

My PowerPoint presentation is approx 45 minutes in length and follows the dealership’s 97-year historic timeline. The presentation features a unique collection of rare photographs taken by the dealership’s founder, Lewis Reed, and highlights how Reed Brothers Dodge came into being, and how the company overcame the inevitable changes and challenges throughout almost a century of being in business. Hope you can join me!

Featured  

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

October 11, 2021  

Exploring Community Life in 20th Century MoCo

Montgomery County, 1900-1930: Through the Lens of Lewis ReedThe newest—and final—addition to Lewis Reed’s online exhibit, “Montgomery County, 1910-1930: Through the Lens of Lewis Reed” has just been published.

The landscape of turn-of-the-century Montgomery County was partially shaped by the industry and commerce that formed the center of community life outside the home. This community infrastructure included urban businesses like stores, hotels, as well as rural occupations like mills, and farms. The initiative of people working toward common goals helped establish strong cultural bonds and led to the growth and development of the community. Featured in this newly launched section are vintage photographs of many landmark businesses, historic sites, and services from early 20th century Montgomery County. This exhibit was co-developed by Blog Author, Jeanne Gartner and Montgomery History Librarian & Archivist, Sarah Hedlund.
 
To view the exhibit, follow this link:
 
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