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In
the Eye of the Beholder: The Photography of Ernest Vickers
 In
the 1880s, amateur photography became a popular American
pastime. By that time, camera and photographic development
technologies had advanced to the point where everyday people
could capture images of their surroundings to share with
others. Ernest Vickers was an avid local amateur photographer.
Born around 1871, Vickers’ photographs span the late 19th
and early 20th centuries. His subjects range from
family and friends to dramatic outdoor scenes to whimsical
vignettes, with compositions both carefree and carefully
arranged. No matter what the subject, Vickers’ work conveys the
sense of wonder and curiosity that Vickers himself must have
felt for these captured moments.
Vickers married Lottie
Spaulding and the couple had a son, Lindley, born February 11,
1900. Lindley became the subject of many of Ernest Vickers’
photographs in scenes of family life. Always a lover of the
outdoors, Vickers’ photographs of family and friends often
featured beautiful natural settings. Lindley adopted his
father’s love of nature, and took over as Mill Creek Park
naturalist in 1947 upon Ernest Vickers’ retirement. One of
Vickers’ friends was Mill Creek Park founder Volney Rogers, who
appears in some of Vickers’ photographs. Vickers also
documented local events and the everyday activities of people in
his community.
 Apart
from being a talented photographer, Ernest Vickers was also a
botanist, and took keen interest in the woods of Mill Creek
Park. In 1929, Ernest Vickers was employed as the Park’s
naturalist. As naturalist, Vickers led groups of people on
nature hikes through the park beginning in the 1930s. Vickers
also took advantage of his surroundings for photographic
inspiration. He captured breathtaking images of well-known park
landmarks along with more obscure scenes of nature, showcasing
the serenity and awe-inspiring beauty of park landscapes.
Hours of operation for the museum are Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information call 330-743-2589 or send e-mail to
mvhs@mahoninghistory.org
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