Exploring 1900s RVA through the camera lens

Take a journey by streetcar into Richmond’s past.

February 10, 2014; 9:53 AM • by Richard Hayes

In the 1900s Harris Stilson worked as a streetcar operator but during all the years operating a street car his camera never left his side. He was constantly capturing the daily minutiae of Richmonders simply living. Looking at his photos is the closest you can come to a time machine.

Harris’ great granddaughter, Kitty Snow has gone through his collection and recently published the book “From a Richmond Streetcar: Life through the lens of Harris Stilson“. I have a copy of the book and the only criticism I can level is that it left me wanting more photos.

This Friday, Kitty Snow will be discussing the book, her great grandfather, and showing photos from the collection. Full press release below.

The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will give the public another opportunity to meet the great granddaughter of Harris Stilson and see Richmond as never before through the photos he took as a street car driver in the early 1900s on Friday February 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center located at 4901 Old Brooks Road.

Kitty Snow, Stilson’s great granddaughter and author of the recently published book, “From a Richmond Streetcar: Life through the lens of Harris Stilson,” will tell the story of Mr. Stilson and show a collection of his photos. Following the presentation, Ms. Snow will open the session for questions and answers.

During the first showing in November, photos that were shown from Mr. Stilson’s collections included all neighborhoods of Richmond during the 1900s. During this second presentation, Ms. Snow will primarily focus on Jackson Ward in the early 1900s.

If you are interested in seeing Richmond as it was in the early 1900s, this is an event you will not want to miss. The event is free to attend and no registration is required. For more information, please contact Pine Camp Arts and Community Center at (804) 646-3672.