The glass plate negatives produced by Adelbert Corser and Minnie Corser Thwing during the late 19th and early 20th centuries have amazing detail that is often not noticeable when looking at the image printed on a post card or even in our calendar. Geordie Heller has done a wonderful job of scanning the negatives at a high resolution that allows for easy viewing of such details.
See his summary of the scanning project in the 2020 PHS newsletter (https://putneyhistory.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Newsletter-Fall-2020_compressed.pdf).
Many of the images depict the Putney General Store or other businesses in the village. Zooming into these views reveals details of buildings, people, vehicles and events that would otherwise not be apparent when viewing the entire image. Here we examine a few examples.
General Store with horse and wagon (F790): Looking at the whole image, one focuses on the horse and wagon with the man on the step of the store. Zooming in, however, you can see a lantern on the corner of the store that must have been lit each night to help guide customers and residents along the street. It also becomes apparent that the man is not the only human in the photo. A young girl can be seen through the door. Also merchandise of kerosene lamps, ceramic dishes, a lawn mower and screen doors can be glimpsed in the windows and on the porch.
Carriage at the General Store (F794): Another image at the General Store shows three women in a carriage. Again, zooming in on the women, you can appreciate the expressions on their faces and the elaborate hats worn by two of them. In the window of the store there is an advertisement for “Swift Premium Ham and Bacon”.
Wagon at the General Store (F817): Another view of the store shows nine people in a wagon. What the occasion was is unknown, but the three women are dressed in white and one of the men is playing an accordion. A coal stove is seen for sale in the store window.
Mother and Daughter (PHS015): A woman and daughter on the steps outside the Corser house on Old Route 5. A close look shows the mother is holding the hand of the daughter.
Mowing the Lawn (PHS026): A man paused while mowing a lawn. His hands reflect a life of hard work. There is some kind of bandage on his wrist.
Veterans at the Town Hall (PHS040): A gathering of the Greenwood Post No. 90, veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic from the Civil War. Details of the ribbon worn by some of the veterans, face of one of the Grand Army of the Republic veterans and face of one of the World War I soldiers in attendance.
A Place to Stay (PHS060): A view of the Putney Tavern shows a manicured lawn with white stones marking the driveway. Signs on the lawn provide prices of meals and rooms (Room $1; Breakfast 50₵; Lunch 65₵; Supper 75₵ to $1). There is also a planter on the lawn with a large P on the side.
The Busy Intersection (PHS260): A typical view of the intersection of Route 5 and Kimball Hill road shows newly installed electric poles and wires. Close examination of the view taken in October 1910, however, shows the hay scale in the middle of the intersection. Traffic signs indicate how to navigate the intersection. Several chairs and benches can be seen along the road to allow for residents to sit and watch the day go by.
Action at the General Store (PHS276): A view up Kimball Hill shows an early Standard Oil Polarine oil tanker wagon drawn by four horses parked next to the General Store with several early automobiles, one of which has five milk cans in the back. The General Store is advertised as S. L. Davis.
Life in the Village (PHS318): Panoramic view of the village. Left to right: bike shop along Kimball Hill; dog waiting at door to post office (rather than the adjacent meat market); wagon at paper mill.
