Lewis Reed Photo Featured in Gettysburg Educational Program: Enduring Pathways
State of Pennsylvania Monument Under Construction, ca. 1910. This rare photograph was taken by Lewis Reed of the State of Pennsylvania Monument while still under construction. Dedicated on September 27, 1910, the Pennsylvania Monument towers above the historic fields of Gettysburg, honoring the sacrifice of Pennsylvania’s soldiers. As the largest monument on the battlefield, it remains one of the most iconic and visited landmarks in the park.
Beginning on Memorial Day and running through Labor Day, the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania sponsors “100 Nights of Taps”, Gettysburg in partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park, Taps for Veterans, Gettysburg’s Licensed Battlefield Guides, and Eisenhower National Historic Site. A major feature of 100 Nights of Taps program is their “Enduring Pathway” – a historic/educational two minute presentation about Lincoln, the Gettysburg Address, and the history of Taps.
The Enduring Pathway previously presented the history of the Soldier’s National Monument, accompanied by a photo of its construction. Being now located at the Pennsylvania Monument, a member of the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania contacted me requesting permission to use Lewis Reed’s photograph of the Pennsylvania Monument while under construction in their Enduring Pathway educational segment on the monument. To have Lewis Reed’s photograph included in this endeavor is a privilege, and I was delighted to grant the permission. It is a small contribution, perhaps, but one that carries a great deal of personal significance. It’s a reminder that the work we do, the stories we tell, and the images we create can have a lasting impact, connecting us to the past and shaping our understanding of the present.
State of Pennsylvania Monument after completion, ca. 1914. Photo by Lewis Reed
The monument was dedicated in 1910, however, it was unfinished at the time of the dedication, lacking the eight bronze statues which were installed in April 1913. The memorial, including the granite dome, was fully completed in 1914 with the installation of a bronze tablet listing additional veterans’ names. The monument also includes statues of President Abraham Lincoln, Governor Andrew Curtin, and six Pennsylvania generals. The monument is located on Hancock Avenue at Pleasonton Avenue.
Source: Wikipedia, Pennsylvania State Memorial, Gettysburg
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!
Montgomery History Online Exhibit: Montgomery County, Then and 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
Lewis Reed Photos Featured on WETA’s “If You Lived Here” Rockville
Several of Lewis Reed’s photos were featured on a historical segment of “If You Lived Here” series on Rockville that aired on December 4, 2023 on WETA. While in Rockville, viewers learn about the history of Rockville, Maryland and the town’s transformation after World War II. The post-war era brought about a wave of growth and change.
This video is part of WETA’s house-hunting “If You Lived Here” series, which spotlights a wide array of neighborhoods and properties throughout the national capital area while celebrating each area’s history, culture, notable places and flavor. Hosts, best friends and longtime Washingtonians Christine Louise and John Begeny tour homes and communities with local realtors, exploring the D.C. Metro region one neighborhood at a time.
The following photos are screenshots of Lewis Reed’s photographs that appeared in the video. (click any image to view photo gallery)
Lewis Reed (at left) using a tripod and five-by-four box camera to shoot photos of an arriving B&O train near Germantown in 1913
Rockville B&O Railroad Station pictured here at the turn of the century.
Rockville Trolley car #596, 1908
Tenallytown and Rockville Pike Trolley Line, 1910
The “If You Lived Here” series is now WETA PBS’ most popular local show ever produced. Follow the link to watch the video of Episode 16 of Season 3 on WETA/PBS series, “If You Lived Here” Rockville.
Montgomery Magazine Wheels and Deals Feature
Reed Brothers is very proud and honored to be featured in the month of August/September 2022 Montgomery Magazine, “Then & Now” section. The black and white photograph above shows the expansion of Reed Brothers Dogde showroom and Gulf Gasoline Station that took place in 1941. At about the same time as the gas station was remodeled, Lewis Reed split up the Sales and Parts and Service operations by constructing a complete new building that was located at the intersection of at Montgomery Avenue and Dodge Street.
A closer look at the photo reveals the price of gasoline as 15 cents. On the right attached to a telephone pole is a sign pointing the way to Olney. In addition to the Gulf signage there is a small, barely visible sign below that promotes, “Clean Rest Rooms”.
The color photograph above, is the dealership’s location today, now known as Veterans Park. In the 1970s, the site was known as the Francis Scott Key Memorial Park, and later in 1988, it was permanently rededicated as Veterans Park. In the late 1960s, the state of Maryland acquired the land to widen Rt 355 and donated the remaining sliver to the City. The State of Maryland named the connector street behind the dealership’s original location “Dodge Street” following the dealership’s 1941 expansion.
Montgomery Magazine is a lifestyle magazine, with timely articles on county leaders, entertainment, sports, neighborhood and restaurant profiles, entrepreneurs, historic landmarks then and now, plus seasonal special sections of local interest.
Find the issue online at: http://digital.montgomerymag.com/issues/August-2022/index.html
Books
Related Resources
Copyright Notice
Reed Brothers Dodge History (1915-2012) by Jeanne Gartner is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.
Reed Brothers Dodge History 1915 – 2012 
Recent Comments