BANGOR — A traveling exhibition of photographs by Bert Call that mark Maine locations visited by Henry David Thoreau is on display 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through August in the West Dining Room, Grant Level 2, at Eastern Maine Medical Center. The show consists of black and white photographs by Bert Lincoln Call and features quotes from Thoreau’s “The Maine Woods.”
Thirty-five large scale museum quality images provide an extraordinary visual record of the North Woods near the turn of the century and highlight the early beginnings of the tourist industry in Maine.
“It’s calming and inspiring, and it creates a fantastic environment for patients and families,” said Elizabeth Kalogeris, senior administrative assistant, Patient Care Administration, who coordinated efforts to bring the show to EMMC.
Much of the prolific photographer’s work remained unseen during Bert Call’s lifetime. When he was 97, Call was visited by 22-year-old Frank Spizuoco, a young man with aspirations of starting a local historical society. Call was so impressed by Spizuoco’s passion that he handed him his photographic collection saying, “Here son. Go build yourself an historical society.” Spizuoco did just that over the course of his own life and honors Bert Call with this exhibit.
More than 4,000 negatives were reviewed before selecting 35 for display. These were then carefully restored and printed by renowned artist and photographer Todd Watts, a former New York native who lives in Maine.
To learn more about the exhibit, visit callthoreauexhibit.com.