Who is Michael B. Reilly?
In 1974, a man from Hampton, Virginia named Michael B. Reilly wandered around McDowell county, West Virginia with a camera on his shoulder. He found McDowell county to be an intriguing place with citizens of various backgrounds. Every time he saw something interesting, he would stop, adjust his lens, and take a snapshot. Then, he would continue his stroll until he found something else noteworthy. Well, that’s one way we can imagine his journey. Despite hours of research, the Belk Library Special Collections team has no idea who Michael B. Reilly is. All they have to work with is the photograph collection he left behind and an address he wrote on the back of nine photography boards. But the question still remains, who was Michael B. Reilly? Let’s go through some of his photographs and explore what kind of photographer he was.
He was an animal and car lover.
He knew some tough kids.
He kept his eye on pollution.
But, most importantly, he was a preservationist. Photographs are snapshots in time that not only show researchers what was happening but also provide a glimpse into the photographer’s motivations. Often, we must ask ourselves questions like, “What was the photographer trying to show” and “Why did they choose to photograph this person or thing?” In this case, we can not only observe what life in 1970s West Virginia was like but also what Reilly wanted us to see. Maybe he wanted us to admire Appalachian architectural ingenuity or the attitudes and inner workings of a specific city in West Virginia. Either way, his photographs preserve their stories and offer a new perspective. For example, Reilly’s photograph of a seemingly random mailbox opened up an opportunity to learn more about WWII veteran Ransom K. Mitchem and his family. So, when you have a moment, schedule a time to come to Special Collections, look at the Michael B. Reilly Appalachian Essay photograph collection, and share your perspective! Click here to view the finding aid.
- submitted by Celine Shay, Manuscript and Archives Processor
A black-and-white photograph captures two men, two men, and a dog
Men, Ponies, and Dog, Rural West Virginia