04/21/2024
Stanley Area Historical Society releases a new book;
"Vintage Views of Stanley – Brought to Life in Color”
The Stanley Area Historical Society proudly presents the release of an innovative new publication, "Vintage Views of Stanley, Wisconsin – Brought to Life in Color." This beautifully rendered, color photo book, created by David Plummer in collaboration with fellow Historical Society members, Dave Jankoski and Betty Plombon, presents a vivid reimagining of Stanley, Wisconsin’s past. The book features over 200 historically significant photographs, previously depicted in black and white, now brought to life with cutting-edge colorization technology and meticulous historical research, resulting, in this rich depiction of the town’s heritage
Unlike typical historical photo books filled with indistinct images, "Vintage Views of Stanley" showcases each picture in full, vibrant color, enhancing details that were once lost in shadows. This meticulous process reveals previously unseen aspects of Stanley, such as clearly readable labels on liquor bottles in a saloon, recognizable faces, and legible theater marques. Full city blocks come into view and once-prominent businesses re-emerge. This innovative approach does more than just paint a pretty picture; it bridges a century-old gap, allowing modern readers to experience the city just as their ancestors did and connect with their history on a more intuitive and emotional level, free from the constraints of past photographic technologies.
The inspiration for the project stemmed from a vast collection of photos, postcards, and newspaper clippings accumulated by David Plummer’s grandmother, Margaret Gruber. A native of Austria, Margaret settled in Stanley in 1885 and later took to preserving her family’s history through photographs from a camera she purchased in 1916. It was her impressive scrapbook archive filled with local and family memorabilia that initially spurred the idea for a book focusing solely on the Gruber family's history but, took a new direction as the wealth of historical images of Stanley itself became apparent. Experimentation with photo enhancement technologies and months of trial and error solidified the project’s color-driven direction. Margaret’s photographs and vintage postcards, along with additional materials sourced from the Stanley Historical Museum and fellow society member Dave Jankoski, have been transformed using state-of-the-art photo enhancement and artificial intelligence colorization processes allowing viewers to see Stanley as it was seen by its early inhabitants— in full, vibrant color.
The book is available for purchase at the Stanley Historical Museum during its weekend open hours from 1-4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, starting the weekend of June 8 and continuing through July, August, and September. Prices are set at $35 for a softcover and $45 for a hardcover, with an additional mailing cost of $11 per book (effective Nov 29, 2024).
"Vintage Views of Stanley” from David Plummer and the Stanley Area Historical Society is more than just a photo book; it is a visual portal to Stanley's rich past, providing a more immersive and colorful experience of the city's development. This innovative publication not only preserves the historical essence of Stanley but also offers a unique opportunity for both residents and history enthusiasts to view the city through a new lens, making the past a vivid part of the present.
This marks a significant achievement in local historical documentation and offers a unique visual treat that promises to bring the history of Stanley, Wisconsin, to life for generations to come.
Contact:
Dave Jankoski
Stanley Area Historical Society
Phone: (715) 644 5880
