"Greetings from Kent: An exhibition of historic postcards"
showcased views of Kent from years gone by
Sending a photograph through the mail used to be something one did while on vacation, adding a handwritten note to a friend. It is a form of communication that has all but vanished in our present world of instant digital communication.
The Kent Historical Society celebrated postcards in the summer of 2016 with its exhibit, “Greetings from Kent,” showcasing the local landscape as seen through the lens of postcard photographers. The exhibit was held at the town’s historic building, the Swift House, at 12 Maple Street.
There is much to be celebrated in what postcards can provide - a look back at the town of Kent over more than 100 years. Many of these images were from postcard kits that were popular for individuals to create their own cards. The Historical Society put the exhibition together through loans from local residents and collectors, as well as its own collection. KHS Trustee Melissa Cherniske was the guest curator.
Postcard production began in the 1800s, with the first patent being approved in 1861, according to the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Postcards were a popular form of correspondence because they were quick and an easy way to communicate. The Golden Age of Postcards was from 1907 to 1915, according to the Smithsonian.
This special exhibit featured enlarged images of postcards. There were also be a number of reproduction postcards available for purchase.
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