Along a winding country road I pass a lovely farm on my way to work. I've known of the farm's history but never had a chance to explore it until the other week. I have always wanted to photograph the farm, especially when their tenants in the front field were out grazing. The miniature donkeys are no long there, but the beauty still remains.
I contacted Peter Michael and asked if I could photograph in his field for my
52 Frames assignment featuring Furniture. He obliged and met us in his front yard at about 8am on a beautiful spring morning. He is the 8th generation to live in the house and farm, which is known to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. Situated just 2 miles north of the Potomac River slaves seeking freedom were able to use the spring house on the Michael property for shelter before venturing north.
Here are some of the resulting images (with and without furniture). Many thanks to Mr. Michael for letting me, my friend and our boys play in fields! As the kids climbed on the hay bales I asked if it was okay, and he replied, "That's what a farm is for. " For more information visit the
Cooling Springs Farm website.
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| The image I used for 52 Frames, "Furniture" |
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| The Spring House |
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| The Approach from the South |
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| Heading North |
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| I invited my friend and our boys to come. The boys explored the creek and spring house, jumped on hay bales and even played musical chairs. |
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| This image will printed large for both sets of brothers. |
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| Can you hear the music? |
