Here are two images brought to Alleghany Historical Museum by Norma Smith Cox. Unfortunately, neither is identified, but they’re among photos that came from Ruthe Norman, Granddaughter of Alice (Harris) Smith. Mrs. Smith’s house stood in the area of the Roaring Gap Golf Course in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Drag the slider to see the original scans versus our restorations. We always try to save high resolution versions of the original scan, to enable future restorers who might have better techniques to revive the images.
This is a familiar scene of a baptizing- possibly by the congregation at Antioch Presbyterian Church. Sometimes more than one church would gather to witness. The gray morning must have been a little cool and damp as the mist is visible, in the background hills. Some of the ladies are wrapped in their shawls- but it isn’t evident in the actions of the pastor as he stands in the chilly water and prays before the event.
The light-struck negative wouldn’t allow restoration in the left side of the image.
Here’s an interesting photo from the same collection, depicting a family camping. They are quite possibly migrating, as so many Alleghany natives traveled to the great plains and beyond- many returning home after they had made their fortunes (a lot like today!)
Grandma and Grandpa are in front of the tent with the daughter, holding her hat, while Mother rests in the shade. The son is holding the horses and Father has returned with rabbits? squirrels? for supper.
Both of these images looked to be almost too far gone, but each still holds enough data for us to restore interesting and informative scenes. In the camping photo, individuals’ faces are recognizable and might be matched to known family members.
