A Lens on the Ladies: Gender and Representation in 1920s Ravenswood, WV
Faith Walker, Museum director, The Great Bend Museum, Ravenswood, WV
Clara Weisheit (1885–1965) was a dedicated amateur photographer who documented both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life in Ravenswood, as well as her travels across the country, between 1918 and 1940. Her images—from quiet scenes on her front porch to sweeping landscapes of the Pacific coast—reflect her adventurous spirit and strong sense of home. More than personal mementos, her photographs provide a rare, candid window into women’s lives in Ravenswood between the World Wars. By comparing Weisheit’s work with other contemporary images, this presentation explores evolving gender roles in a rural community a century ago and the role of photography in shaping representation.

Join us at the Great Bend Museum in Ravenswood for “Behind Clara’s Lens: The Life and Photography of Clara Weisheit,” opening May 17!

This event is sponsored by the Washington County Public Library, and is FREE and open to the public.