Author: Sharon

My passions include photography, music, people, teaching, learning, taking risks and asking "I wonder what would happen if I..."

Eastern Point Lighthouse

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Taken with my iPhone                                                                                                            Sharon Lowe Photography

The Ramparts, Commodore Rouse, and the Schooner Niagara

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The Ramparts, Eastern Point, circa 1900 Anonymous/ @Fredrik D. Bodin

 Schooner Niagara, Eastern Point, circa 1898 Phelps/ @Fredrik D. Bodin

The Ramparts was built in 1896 on Eastern Point (Gloucester, MA) by Commodore Henry Rouse of Cleveland. Rouse was a railroad tycoon and commodore of the Seawanhaka-Corinthian Yacht Club of New York. In 1898, Rouse was visited by financier Howard Gould, the ninth richest man in America, on his Schooner Niagara. In the photo, Niagara sails off Eastern Point, with The Ramparts visible between the jib and the bowsprit. Ladies and gentlemen enjoy the outing, probably with Rouse aboard, and the man with the top hat just aft of the mainmast likely robber baron Gould himself.
Printed archivally from a scan of the original. Image # AD07-002 (Ramparts) and AD07-001 (Niagara)

Fred  Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930



Open House Saturday 8/13/11

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Hi- We are having a summer artist’s open house here on Saturday evening August 13th from 6 pm to 10 pm. We’ll be serving light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. See the new maps, photos, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and the work of our newest local artist- glass blower Aron Leaman. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page if you haven’t yet (see below).

 Babson Farm Quarry, Rockport ©Fredrik d. Bodin

Fish City © Jean Byrd

 Vibrancy © Kathleen Miller

Our neighbor on Main Street, the POP Gallery, is also having an opening at the same time for Christina Pitsch. Her work is work in print, drawings, and sculptural pieces. They will have snacks from our neighbor the Dog Bar, and wine & beer.

Come on Downtown and enjoy!

Fred

Fredrik D. Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo

82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Rules and Regulations – No Loafing About the Sheds!

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Cape Ann Granite Company Rules and Regulations, 1875

The Cape Ann Granite Company was organized in 1869 by Civil War veteran Colonel Jonas H. French. It was located near his summer home in Bay View (Gloucester, MA). Colonel French’s quarries supplied granite for the Boston and Baltimore post offices, the Brooklyn Bridge, and was one of the largest suppliers of paving block in the country. One of French’s claims to fame was cutting out a 122 feet long by 45 feet wide and 30 feet deep block of granite from Old Pit quarry in 1871. The original Cape Ann Granite Company was bought out by the Rockport Granite company in 1893. Remember: “No loafing about the sheds.”
Printed archivally from a scan of the original. Negative # ADP-011-001
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Magnolia Beach from the Island

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#4 Grandkid, Kylie, convinced me to cross the weekend boat traffic in our sit-on kayaks yesterday morning. It’s always cool when you get out to the island. What a gorgeous day!

Pure Maple Syrup at the Farmer’s Market!

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If you love maple syrup in its purest form, try my friend Dean’s Northwood SugarWorks products at the Farmer’s Market….today!

 

Gloucester Water Taxi – 1900 Style

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Gloucester Harbor, circa 1900 Russell Robins/©Fredrik D. Bodin
Ten years ago a woman came into my gallery with fourteen 4×5 inch glass negatives that she found in the attic, and was going to sell them in her yard sale. They were in good condition, and all were harbor scenes. The only information she could give me was the photographer’s name: Russell Robins, and that he may have worked for Gorton’s Seafood. I bought them for much more than a yard sale price. As it turned out, they were all of Gloucester’s working harbor.
This photograph shows how busy the harbor was, with motor, sail, and rowing boats. The man rowing into the picture on the left is wearing a derby and looks like a businessman. He could be on his way to check out a fishing schooner’s catch and negotiate a price. Behind him are two schooners and the tug Startle. The distant shoreline is East Gloucester, and Rocky Neck is on the right. Over time, I realized that people in the fishing industry commuted by boat, unless a ship was tied up at the dock. Hundreds of people, including fishermen, shipwrights, fish company agents, provisioners, and owners, would row out to conduct the fishery’s business. And that’s probably why Russell Robins was out there too– with his camera.
Printed from the original 4×5 inch glass negative in my darkroom. Negative # A9945-009
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Rockport Class of 1961 50th Reunion from Donna and Jack King

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Rockport Class of 1961 50th Reunion was held at the Cafe Sevens Seas, Gloucester House July 2, 2011, with a Dinner Buffet.  There was a “Memorabilia” table with pictures and mementos, music of the era, and a  booklet for class members.  There were also gifts from the Rockport High School Alumni.  Class members attended from California, Florida, Tennessee, New York, and New England, as well as Cape Ann & Rockport.  It was a fun evening!!

Rockport 50th Reunion Committee Members

Rockport 1961-The “Pigeon Covers” Class Members

Rockport 1961-The “Downtowners & South Enders” Class Members

Rockport 1961 50th Reunion all attending Class Members

Happy Birthday, Jackie!

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Jackie and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. ©Fredrik D. Bodin
In the 1980’s, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government hired me to photograph people and events in their brand new building near Harvard Square. This day’s event was the dedication of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, which is between the academic building and Memorial Drive and the Charles River. Among the guests of honor were Jackie, Caroline, John, Joe, and Ted Kennedy; Governor Michael Dukakis, and Boston Mayor Ray Flynn.
That evening the Kennedy School hosted a rooftop cocktail party for faculty, staff, and the Kennedys. One thing I’ll always remember is how elegant and graceful Jackie was. Her handshake and comments to everyone, from the secretary to the college president, were warm and genuine. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was born on July 28th, 1929 (July 28th is my birthday too). Happy birthday Jackie.
Printed archivally from my 35mm negative. Negative # FDB870529-06#12A
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Wild Iris and the Love Photo

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 Wild Iris, Halibut Point @Fredrik D. Bodin

I frequently scout a location before setting up to shoot a landscape, especially if it’s a sunrise or sunset. The equipment is heavy, the hike may be long, and I’ve got to be ready to shoot as the light changes. This was the case when I shot the sunset at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport. I explored the shore beneath the granite pile and noted two promising spots. The next evening I set up my tripod, framed the image in camera, and waited for the last rays of sunset. Even though the sky wasn’t very interesting, I made a few exposures.  It’s the wild iris in the bottom right that make this image a great seller in the gallery.  Then I moved to the second location about 150 feet to the east.
 
 Dusk, Halibut Point ©Fredrik D. Bodin

As dusk approached, the clouds darkened to purple and reflected off the ocean and tidal pools. The pool on the left is shaped like a heart, which I point out to customers in the gallery. I call this the “love” photo. I returned to this location a year later and the wild iris were gone. But the heart will always be there.
Shot on 6×7 centimeter transparency film. Printed from a 4×5 inch color internegative.
Negative #’s FDB9167-001c and FDB9167-002c
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

On the Hill

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Right out of the camera with just a crop, this has a painterly look to it. Maybe it’s FH Lane revisiting on the full moon night!