DeMars Collection on exhibit this weekend

WINSTED — Fans of local history are in for a treat this weekend, as photographic selections from the The Frank H. DeMars Collection will be on display at Nisbel’s Corner Building, across from Dairy Queen at 68 Main St.Hours for the show are Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19 and 20, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.The photographic show is a trip back in time, with images of local towns from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, taken by the late Frank DeMars, the proprietor of a local art and framing shop. DeMars’ images have been restored by his granddaughter, Peg Giles of Granby, who has carefully chronicled her discovery of more than 5,000 glass slides from before, during and after the turn of the last century.Born in 1872, Frank H. DeMars was the proprietor of The Art Store, a framing shop that opened around 1904 at 700 Main St. The shop eventually expanded to 711-715 Main St., where he sold photographs he had taken, many of which were made into postcards. He continued taking photos after closing the store in 1914.Giles has created a website in honor of her grandfather’s work, www.demarsimages.com, where images are on view and reprints may be purchased, but seeing the enlargements up close is a treat.A special reception for the exhibition will be presented by the Winsted Economic Development Commission this Friday, Aug. 19, with food, music by Heard Noises and a video. An open mic/jam session will be held Saturday night for interested musicians.Admission is free, but images and art will be for sale at the event.For more information, call Theresa P. Cannavo at 860-307-3889.

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