Photo Archives on Website Bring Old Lakewood to Life

I have to admit that I am a history buff. I love looking at old photos and squinting closely at them trying to determine the make of a car or the print on a woman's dress. Well I hit the jackpot this weekend while browsing online. I came across a cache of photos belonging to the Tacoma Public Library, 1881 to be exact, all depicting Lakewood or the "Lakes District" from the late 1800s through the 50s and 60s.
As co-owner of a business that has been here for over 50 years, we have had many, many customers tell stories of old Lakewood, and of the old Lakewood Gallery. To actually find photos that brought some of these stories to life was quite a gift! I have come to love Lakewood through these stories of personal interest.
Along with each of the library photos are detailed descriptions. After perusing dozens of images I came across one that was listed as taken at the same address as the current location of Lakewood Gallery & Framing, in the old Lakewood Colonial Center. I had heard stories that this end of the building was a grocery store, and our store specifically was in the produce section. Well there it was, in black and white, our space in 1951. Bright linoleum floors and neatly stacked product.
After digging deeper, I found interior shots of our vacant neighbor, The Terrace Restaurant - a place I'd heard many stories about, but arrived in Lakewood too late to dine there. Also the Lakewood Theater, dirt roads around the Colonial Center, the construction of Villa Plaza, Thornewood Castle and more.
I love that I co-own a business that has been in Lakewood since 1959, we are in a building that was built in 1937: one of the first suburban shopping centers in the nation, and that so much of Lakewood's history is still all around us. I haven't quite made it through all 1881 photos on the website, but I'm sure I will soon!
If you love Lakewood history like I do, be sure to visit the website for the Lakewood Historical Museum or visit their location in the historic Colonial Center on Mt. Tacoma Drive.

Is Your Framing Preserving Your Artwork?

Antique Photos - Before new mats and glass

Antique Photos - After new mats and glass

Once a piece of artwork is framed, it is framed for life—a common misconception that has taken its toll on many pieces of art. In fact, new framing products are continually being released to further the life of your artwork.

UV protecting glass, cotton rag mats and acid buffering materials were not commonly used or were cost prohibitive 15-20 years ago. It is a good idea to bring your framed art to your local framer about every 10 years to make sure your artwork is still in prime condition and to educate yourself on new products that may extend the life of the piece.

Glass
Arguably the best update you can make to preserve your framed art is an upgrade to conservation glass. UV protecting glass considerably extends the life of your artwork by minimizing fading. We never recommend hanging artwork in direct sunlight, but even indirect sunlight can cause fading. Your local framer can determine if the glass on your art is conservation or you may have a sticker on the back of your framing indicating what type of glass was used. Prices on UV proctecting glass have dropped to a range that is within reach of most consumers, and considering the value it preserves in your artwork, typically worth the investment.

Mats
All of the mats commonly used in framing today are acid-free or 100 percent cotton rag. You may be able to determine what mats you have by looking at the bevels on the opening cut in the mat - are they yellowed and brown? Or crisp white? Cotton rag and acid-free mats will be white, paper mats yellow or brown. Yellowing is caused by acid, which can be transferred to your artwork touching the underside of that mat. Conservation mats will preserve art on paper and photos (and you might opt to choose new colors for a fresh look).

Frames
The frame is typically the most costly part of custom framing. Thankfully, in most cases, the frame can stay on the artwork for as long as you desire. Your local framer can usually cut mats and glass to fit the artwork and the existing frame.

Restoration
If you find that your artwork is damaged, don't panic. Art restoration companies can work miracles to breathe new life into damaged art. Don't consider anything ruined until you speak with an art restoration expert.

How is your artwork doing? Have you taken a look at it lately? Remember, you framed it for a reason! It may have personal importance or monetary value, either way, consider taking framed artwork to your local framer who can easily help you with preservation and updating.