Then and Now
Posted by Dan from Madison on March 9th, 2009 (All posts by Dan from Madison)
Click any photo for larger.
One of my favorite books is called “Double Take, A Retrographic Survey of Madison, Wisconsin” by Zane Williams. I read it at least twice a year. This book is fascinating for many reasons. First, I live here in Madison. Second, it is a history book. Third, it is a photography book.
The author took many photos taken of Madison many, many years ago and re-staged them. He set up his equipment in the same exact spot (or as close as he could) and took the same exact photo. Many techical details about the original equipment used are in the book, and in the notes from the later photos. I highly recommend this book.
Last weekend I attended some meetings at the famous Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. The hotel was quite nice, and is one of the old, grand hotels from days gone by. Throughout the hotel are photos of what things used to look like. Here is the old elevator lobby:
And here is what I came up with for the same lobby today. Boy I hate those merchandisers.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Do the ducks still make their march in the lobby of the Peabody? They were doing it when I was there last in the 80’s, they were doing it in the late 60’s, and I think the tradition goes back to the 30’s. Different ducks, I reckon, from era to era.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Yep, ducks come into the lobby fountain at 11am, and leave at 5pm.