Lost photographs from a long-lost photography studio form the basis of what will soon become a large, outdoor exhibition on the long and large set of walls that line E. Ferry Street across from the Buffalo Academy of Performing Arts.
Found in the archives of the Buffalo History Museum, many of these photos were taken during what appears to be the 1920s, by one William Westhphal in his studio at 160 Broadway. There are other images in the mix, taken by additional photographers of the time, that help to tell the story of a place and people that were instrumental in building Buffalo. The images offer our generation a unique way of looking at and learning about the African-Americans who lived in that neighborhood at that time.
Because there is no information available about who any of the people in these photographs are, it falls to us, the viewers in this generation, to ask the kinds of questions that might lead us to the truth.
Over the course of the next few days, Buffalo Rising will offer these photographs to our readers. Think about the questions that we are asking and then, if you are so inclined, respond with what you think the answers might be.
This project is brought to you by the Friends of the Buffalo Story.