Online Exhibit: Daily Life in 20th Century MoCo
Montgomery History has launched a new “Daily Life“ section of their recent exhibit, “Montgomery County 1900-1930: Through the Lens of Lewis Reed“. A pioneering automobile dealer and one of the most prolific photographers in Montgomery County, Maryland at the turn of the 20th century. The photographs in this newly launched section reveal how residents lived, worked, played, and went to school in Montgomery County at the turn of the 20th Century. Categories include House & Home, Social Visits, Fun & Games, Family Pets, Music, and School Days. Visit https://sites.google.com/…/lewis-reed…/daily-life and immerse yourself in hundreds of photographs of days gone by! The majority of the photos in the “Fun and Games” section are of Lewis Reed’s daughter, Mary Jane. Like many parents, he never missed a chance to take a photo of his daughter, who frequently appears in many of his photos. This exhibit was co-developed by Blog Author, Jeanne Gartner and Montgomery History Librarian & Archivist, Sarah Hedlund.
Montgomery History Online Exhibit: Montgomery County 1900-1930: Through the Lens of Lewis Reed
Opened January 7, 2020
Curated by Jeanne Gartner and Sarah Hedlund
Discover Montgomery County in the early 20th century through the remarkable photography of Lewis Reed, founder of Reed Brothers Dodge. An avid photographer and pioneering automobile dealer, Reed documented the region during his motorcycle journeys across Maryland, capturing the transformation of transportation, daily life, recreation, and community scenes from 1900 to 1930. His photographs offer an intimate window into the people, places, and moments that defined the county and shaped broader American history.
This online exhibition was carefully curated by Jeanne Gartner, granddaughter of Lewis Reed and co-owner of Reed Brothers Dodge, in collaboration with Sarah Hedlund, Archivist and Librarian at Montgomery History. Jeanne’s curatorial vision was instrumental in organizing these photographs into thematic galleries that illuminate Reed’s artistic legacy and documentary purpose, from the evolution of transportation and leisure pursuits to innovative photographic techniques and local economic growth.
Together, these images form a vital portrait of Montgomery County over a century ago, revealing Lewis Reed’s deep appreciation for his community and his enduring commitment to preserving its history for future generations.
View the full exhibition online: https://sites.google.com/view/lewis-reed-photography/home









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