Awoke and shocked by the news, Wise County Heritage museum had burned, and was a total loss. I know it was just materials and no loss of life, thankfully, but I remember feeling like I had lost a loved one and I am still grieving.

In my 18 years as a photojournalist in Wise County, I shot the Wise County Heritage Museum from every angle, every time of day, it was my goto when the weather changed drastically for one of my wild art pieces.

It was one of my goto’s for trying out new lenses, cameras and drones. I shot many events over the years in the Wise County icon, from weddings to concerts. I still remember going in late sometimes and trying to walk real softly on the old creaky wooden floors, not disturb the event. It wasn’t possible, but that’s what gave the character to this old monument on the hill. I remember walking and photographing the lost battalion room and the hair would stand up on the back of my neck as I wandered thru the history and all that remained of one of the most horrific events of our humanity.

I photographed Rosalie Gragg who, was always there protecting her baby. I shot the day that it was dedicated to her for all of her efforts over the years. I photographed her all through the reconstruction of the old boy. I photographed the relocation of a log cabin to the grounds. I shot family portraits on the grounds on a regular basis.

So yes, I feel like I lost a loved one that day because the old building soaked up all this positive energy and shared it with several generations always giving good back!

I refused to go look at it, because that’s not the way I wanted to remember it, but… I was headed to a shoot the other day and as I was leaving the square… there was what was left of it on the hill and that sick feeling overwhelmed me. Some things just can’t be replaced and how would you even put a price on this kind of history?

I have included some of my favorite images over the years and invite you to remember the old boy through them.

Wise County, wise county heritage museum