Wanda Walton: 'Memories of the Alleghany Highlands', Oct. 12th
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Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 6, 2017) - The Clifton Forge Public Library cordially invites the public to spend an evening with author and Clifton Forge resident, Wanda Walton. Using pictures from the Photography Studios of Edgar Fulton Craft and Edith Virginia Craft Whiteside, Mrs. Walton will present “Memories of the Alleghany Highlands.” The program will be held in the Michael Armstrong Community Room of the Clifton Forge Public Library. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 12.
“The pictures from our grandfather and mother are very precious to our family,” Mrs. Walton says. “We have always wanted to share them with the people of Alleghany County and have finally started printing them. Many of the photos of individual people have been given away or donated to the Genealogical Society. Most of the railroad photographs were donated to the C&O Historical Society.”
In 1914, Mrs. Walton’s research shows, Edgar Fulton Craft was a photographer living with his family in the Nettleton Addition, a community at the end of Commercial Street in Clifton Forge. By 1920 he had opened Crafts Photography Studio on Main Street. Four years later, he bought out Griffiths Studio, becoming the only photographer listed in town.
During 1941-42, Mrs. G.C. Whiteside owned the studio. Dennis Whiteside and Mr. Craft were employed as managers and photographers. Mr. Craft’s daughter, Edith, who had been working with her father, bought out the studio in 1942 and became one of the photographers.
Edith’s husband, Thomas Walter Whiteside, owned Sanitary Plumbing and Heating Co. from 1946-52. Whiteside’s Studio was located inside the store until 1952, when Mr. Whiteside built a studio for Edith beside their house in Nettleton Addition. She continued her photography for a number of years, later transitioning into developing film since people had begun to buy their own cameras. However, she continued with portrait photography.
Mrs. Walton has compiled two books and is at work on a third. “The photographic memories in the books,” she says, “are what have survived from a combination of the three studios - Craft’s, Griffith’s, and Whiteside’s.”
The first book presents photos of the athletic teams and class pictures of Central High School with a short history of the school and one photograph of a Covington High School team.
The second book is a compilation of the athletic and class pictures of Clifton Forge High School. “Both books,” Mrs. Walton says, “go from the late 1920s to the 1940s. This book also includes a short school history and one picture also of Jefferson High School and the one class photo we have.”
“The next book,” she continues, “will be photos of Alleghany County, including the CCC Camp at Douthat State Park. It should be ready by the first of December, in time for Christmas gifts. The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce has promised to sell them.”
Wanda Walton’s program will conclude with a book signing. Copies of her books will be available for purchase.
Admission is free.
The Friends of the Library will provide light refreshments.
The Clifton Forge Public Library is located at 535 Church Street.
For more information on any library program, call the Clifton Forge Public Library at 863-2519. | | | | | |
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