FALLS VILLAGE — A unique exhibition of photographs opens at the David M. Hunt Library Saturday, March 16.
The show, “From the Great Falls to the Hilltops: The Mabel Hallaway Collection of Early 20th Century Photography,” is of interest to historians and to those interested in the history of photography.
The images are from a photo album and a box of glass slide and film negatives from the Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society.
Garth Kobal, who wrote the introduction to the exhibition catalog, explains further:
“Looking through the photo album [in 2015], my eyes caught several photographs of women with bellows cameras and tripods, wearing black dresses in the full sun. All the photographs were taken outdoors — some in a clearing and others, most impressively, at the Great Falls.”
Three years later, Kobal was shown digital scans of images from glass slides, from roughly the same early 20th century period.
“There were photographs of a farm, two men on a porch with fiddle and banjo, a teacher and her students in front of Beebe Hill Schoolhouse, and a mesmerizing image of a man wearing a bowler hat, standing on a rock centered in front of the expanse of the Great Falls.”
A sample image from the exhibit that will be on display at David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village beginning March 16.Submitted
Now the images from the two sources have been combined to create this unique event.
On Feb. 23, a reporter visited Rika Laser’s Falls Village studio where the exhibition team — Kobal, Rika Laser, Sara Laser, and Sergei and Zoe Fedorjaczenko — was putting the final touches on the framed prints.
Most of the images are particularly sharp and clear, and reveal a great deal about life in Falls Village and the immediate area circa 1920.
One photo is of Catherine Woodin of Amesville, standing in front of a neatly stacked pile of wood in a sort of cape over skirt arrangement that looks very bulky by modern standards.
The catalog notes that “A February 1965 Lakeville Journal profile of her said, ‘It is no idle boast when Mrs. Woodin says that she is an expert wood chopper.’”
On Saturday, March 16, the official exhibition opening and reception at 4 p.m. will be preceded by a 3 p.m. presentation on glass slide photography with Daniel Karp of Bard College at Simon’s Rock.
And on Saturday, March 23, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., there will be a presentation on early 20th century fashion with Michele Majer of Cora Ginsburg LLC.
This article has been updated with the correct time of Michele Majer's presentation.
LJMN Media Board Chair Dan Dwyer, right, presents the 2025 Estabrook Community Leadership award to Bunny Williams, center, for her contribution to regional community organizations. Betsy Smith, left, chaired the Jubilee host committee.
Addressing more than 100 attendees, Brian Ross, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, underscored why Williams was chosen. “Bunny has always believed, as we do at our newspapers, that community matters, and that local matters,” he said.
Williams has spent decades bolstering local organizations. She helped launch Trade Secrets 25 years ago, turning it into a major fundraiser for Project Sage, the region’s domestic violence agency. She has hosted events for local libraries, supported the Falls Village Daycare Center and Music Mountain, and founded The Great County Mutt Show to benefit The Little Guild.
Board Chair Dan Dwyer urged attendees to follow Williams’ example. “Get informed, stay informed and get involved in your community to make it a little better than it was – that’s what Bunny has done,” he said.
In her tribute, Betsy Smith — a close friend of Williams and chair of the Jubilee — called the honoree honest, energetic and warm. “She’s the essence of being civic minded,” Smith said. “I could not be prouder to be in her orbit of friendship, warmth, commitment, and making our community a better place.”
Michael Trapp, left, and Hillary Cooper
Dwyer presented Williams with the award, which she immediately dedicated back to the community.
“What I learned is that the best part of this community – as beautiful as it is – is the people. I may have an idea, but it’s just an idea,” Williams said. “It is the effort and the commitment and the generosity of people who step up to the plate to make these events happen and I’ve never seen anything like it.”
James Clark, CEO/Publisher of The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News
Publisher James Clark congratulated Williams before highlighting the vital role of local journalism. “When you read The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News, you become more informed about what’s happening in your communities – and more connected to your community,” he said, adding his thanks to the attendees whose support helps the newspapers thrive.
John Coston, center, recently retired executive editor of The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News
