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Assistant Librarian Nick Whitmer holds one of the library’s newly framed W. Austin Loewner paintings.Sfmmed:Rockingham Public Library Puts Harrisonburg History Under Glass%By JEFF MELLOTTNews-Record Staff Writer_he hues of Harrisonburg’s past have nother layer of protection now that the tockingham Public Library has re-framed 8 watercolors by the late W. Austin iOewner, an artist and city historian.The paintings, appropriately kept in the ;enealogy room of the library, were vul-lerable to the weather. A leak in the roof ihowed the library staff just how vulner-ible.In addition to standard protection, the jlass in the new frames is designed to shield the paintings from ultraviolet light, which can cause a chemical reaction in thepaper of the paintings and fade the watercolors.The paintings generally project a simple, warm and sentimental, if not historical, image of city landmarks around Court Square.Most of the works were collected and published in People’s Valley National Bank’s “HarrisonburgIllustrations.”During the Civil War, the Rockingham courthouse, a two-story brick building topped with a cupola, was surrounded by a fence. The enclosed courtyard with springhouse was used by Federals and Rebels to detain prisoners.By 1874, the cupuloa was gone, replaced by a clock. A gazebo joined the springhouse in the courtyard.Other paintings depict sections of Main Street, with its stores and other commercial enterprises. Massanutten Peak looms in the background of Loewner’s circa 1885 painting of Main Street. The kerosene streetlamps and horse-drawn carriages in the painting are typical of Loewner’s attention to detail.Loewner presented tranquil scenes, except for “Christmas Fire, 1870.” The watercolor depicts the fire that engulfed many buildings just south of Court Square.Loewner, born on Main Street next tothe old People’s Valley National Bank ai East Market and Court Square, searchi through books, conducted interviews e created a photographic record of Harri. onburg’s past.John Green, in “Harrisonburg Illustrations,” says most of Loewner’s paintings were not done from photographs or sketches. The paintings were based on historical research.‘There is relatively little that exists as far as images of old Harrisonburg,” Assistant Librarian Nick Whitmer says.Because of a lack of space, the paintings have been returned to the genealogy room and their rightful place among the archives.
Newspaper Details
Daily News-Record
Harrisonburg, Virginia, US
Sat, Feb 27, 1993
Page 23
Full Page
Clipped by
Kristin E.
VA, USA 26 Sep 2024
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