Accidental History – NEW exhibit by Nina Thomas — Westerville Historical Society

"The intent of My Final Photo was a challenge. It was a personal quest to make more, better, and different photos. Photos from a place where I’d lived, but spent little time photographing: Westerville. Almost 18 years later, the result is what I’ve begun to call “Accidental History.” When I sorted through the collection, I could see my photos reflected a brief span of history in Westerville. I never intended to create a history collection."

- Gary Gardiner

The Westerville History Museum has a new exhibit called “Accidental History” featuring photography by Gary Gardiner. Gardiner’s full photography collection will be donated to the Museum in the future and will be preserved for generations to come.

Gardiner has spent 18 years capturing big and not-so-big moments in Westerville’s history. He was there when they installed the Main Street Bridge. He was there when the mural from the former Kyoto Tea House was installed on the side of Northstar restaurant. He was there when kids were trick-or-treating and when a couple was selecting a pumpkin from the front lawn of Blendon’s Masonic Lodge. Gardiner was just there.

Gardiner can be seen walking around Westerville with his camera capturing everyday moments, and even big celebrations. These photographs tell the history of our community in so many ways. The museum is proud to host a temporary exhibit of his photographs now, and is thrilled to know we’ll be preserving these photographs for the future.

We invite you to walk through and catch a glimpse of Westerville’s history from the last 18 years to present day. The photographs were curated by the Museum.

The Museum is open Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm (closed Saturday 1-2pm for lunch). The exhibit is free and includes a kids’ I-Spy activity.

For more information on this exhibit and others, visit our website: https://westervillelibrary.org/accidental-history/