Beebe Library’s “Wakefield Then & Now” photo contest asked entrants to select a historic photo of Wakefield and go out and take a matching photo of the same location today. The library received some great entries in three separate categories: adult, teen and kids. Presented here are the winners in each age category.

Cole Kraus took first place in the Kids Category for his photo matching an original 1945 Joseph Payro image of Water Street at the corner of Wakefield Avenue. Ten year-old Cole said that he was surprised that the scene had not changed much since the original photo was taken.
“I thought the buildings might be torn down or reconstructed,” Cole wrote. “The buildings were still there but different colors and the stores have changed owners. In the original photo, two women and one man were walking. Since there were no people walking by, I had my mother, sister and our friend stand so it would look like the original photo. You can see that the clothes they wore were different than those we wear now. It helps tell the age of the photo by the car parked on the side of the street. Cars have changed a lot since that photo was taken.”

First place in the Adult Category went to Loren Hill, who was inspired by a 1914 colorized postcard or the Rockery.

“It was inviting, almost pastoral, as illustrated by the young lad and his relaxed pose,” Hill wrote, describing the old photo. “Today the area is less inviting. No crosswalks connect to any sidewalks on Main Street. Traffic swirls around it like a swarm of angry hornets. The stone marker has been moved elsewhere to a less prominent spot on the town common. In its stead is the statue of a military figure commemorating the Spanish-American War. Today’s “Young lad” must brave heavy traffic to visit the island on Main Street.”

Thirteen year-old Emma Kraus won first place in the Teen Category. She matched an early 20th century view of Crystal Lake taken from the top of Hart’s Hill. She said that she chose the photo because she lives across the street from Hart’s Hill.
“It was so beautiful until people wrote graffiti all over the rocks and smashed beer bottles,” Emma wrote in her description. “Trees grew in back of the rock so you can’t see the houses on Main Street anymore. You can see the water plant in the right hand corner of the photo. It is still a nice view of Crystal Lake.”

Second Prize in the Adult Category went to Annette Dupon for her “now” photo of the former location of the Wakefield furniture factories on Water Street.

David Bruce won Third Place for his photo of the Rockery.

In the Teen Category, Julia MacDonald took second place for her photo of the YMCA and Baptist Church.

Third Prize went to Emma Kraus for her photo of the Upham House on Main Street at Crystal Lake.

In the Kids’ Category, seven year-old Sophia Bruce won second place for her photo of the YMCA and Baptist Church.

Honorable Mention awards were given to Loren Hill’s photo of the Isaac Green House on Main Street and to David Bruce for his photo of the town historical marker on the Upper Common.

Two Special Awards for Creativity were also given.

One went to Mary Anne Power for her enhanced photo of the YMCA building. The other went to Doug Heath for his image of the Wakefield Park Gates simulating 19th century photo techniques.

All of the entries in the “Wakefield Then & Now” photo contest are on display at Beebe Library on the main floor near the Reference Desk.

Categories: Adult Programs,Library News
Tags: Beebe Library, historical photos, libraries, library, local history, Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, photographs, pictures, Then & Now. photos, Then and Now, Wakefield, Wakefield history, Wakefield Library, Wakefield MA, Wakefield Mass, Wakefield Massachusetts