Norristown Library To Host Unique 'Abandoned America' Exhibition

NORRISTOWN, PA -- The Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, the Historical Society of Montgomery County, and Friends of the Montgomery County Library will host a special presentation on October 13, 2016 from 5:00 to 6:30 by photographer Matthew Christopher. He will present his work in a program based on his two books, Abandoned America: Dismantling the Dream and Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences.

Christopher will be presenting on the sites and photographs featured in his two books, Abandoned America: Dismantling the Dream and Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences. Christopher’s journey to document abandoned sites began a decade ago while researching the decline of the state hospital system.

Realizing that words alone could not adequately convey the harsh realities of institutional care, Christopher embarked on a journey to visit and photograph the crumbling state schools and asylums in our midst. Ten years later, Christopher’s focus has broadened to include the ruins of American infrastructure, industry, churches, schools, theaters, hospitals, prisons, resorts and hotels as realized in his first book Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences. From the heartbreaking story of a state school that would become home to one of the country's worst cases of fatal neglect and abuse to the shattered remains of what was once the largest mall in the United States, Christopher’s work asks what leads us to leave places behind and what are the consequences of doing so. Examples of his work can be found at Abandoned America, (http://www.abandonedamerica.us/).

His work has gained international attention and he is considered a leading expert on urban blight and the efforts to preserve America’s endangered architectural history.

The presentation will take place between 5:00 and 6:30 and will be held at the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library located at 1001 Powell Street in Norristown, PA. There is parking available under the building on the side facing Swede Street and, also, across the street from the entrance that faces Powell Street. This program is free and open to the public.

Image and information courtesy Historical Society of Montgomery County.