Old Glory: A Photographic Journey Through Small Town America

“A Photographic Journey Through Small Town America” is a series of photography books created from a two-year project in which I traveled the back roads of America seeking to discover the essence of life in small towns. From the thousands of images documenting hundreds of towns, I discerned common themes that were evident in multiple towns across the country. I am featuring these themes in individual books. This one is called “Old Glory.” It is about small-town patriotism, containing images honoring the American flag. The presentations are quite diverse, showing respect for our country in a variety of ways including on buildings, along the sidewalks, in shop windows, and on doors. As I explored the towns, I noticed many displays of the American flag. Some were official, at city halls, courthouses, and post offices. But the ones that particularly interested me were the more unofficial displays of the flag itself or representations of it. They seemed more personal and informal, examples of citizens, rather than the government, paying tribute to old glory. As you examine these images, I invite the viewer to explore the details of each photograph, which can be appreciated and meaning inferred on multiple levels. Is the flag prominently displayed or is it more like an afterthought? Given the display, what message does it send about the culture of the town and the people who live there? Are there examples of patriotism in spite of hard economic times? Above all, I hope that these images from across the country provide both enjoyment and some insight into life in America’s small towns.