Posted on April 11, 2018
Single Room Occupancy
Portraits and Stories of Northampton Lodging, 1976-2016
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For the past two years, Cassandra Holden has been interviewing former residents of Northampton Lodging, a single room occupancy boarding house located on Pleasant Street in Northampton, and members of the community about what it was like to live and work there. The stories of camaraderie and mutual support stand in stark contrast to some of those seen in the police blotter.
Photographer Paul Shoul came to know many of the former residents and captured thoughtful portraits of them just before they relocated to other housing.
The exhibition, which will run from March 9th – June 10th, features 20 photographs of residents, staff, and the building; excerpts from oral histories about their lives; construction documents, and a re-creation of a resident’s room at the Lodging.
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Until it closed in 2016, Northampton Lodging, located at 129 Pleasant Street, occupied an awkward place in town. Positioned just past Hampton Court, it marked the transition from the brightly lit storefronts, galleries, and restaurants of Main and upper Pleasant Streets to the less pedestrian friendly stretch of road that connects the city to the highway.
Initially constructed in 1967 as a dormitory for the now-closed Northampton Commercial College, the property, since 1976, offered 58 single-room rentals with common kitchens and baths.
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In October of 2016, the building was demolished. Today, the newly constructed, yellow brick, “Live 155” stands in its place. The building boasts 70 affordable and market rate units, all studio and one-bedroom apartments, and will see its first tenants move in later this spring.
In the larger context, the exhibit traces the waning years of boarding house living in Northampton and raises questions about the availability of affordable housing in our community.
The photographs and the oral histories will become part of the collection at Historic Northampton. |
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During the course of the exhibit, Historic Northampton will host programs to explore issues of transitional and temporary housing in Northampton and the variety of groups these properties serve.
Posted on January 20, 2018
Women’s March 2018 Northampton,MA.
Fantastic turnout today at 2018 women’s march in Northampton MA.
Posted on December 1, 2017
Portrait of a Spanish Shepherd.
Extremadura Spain. A portrait of a Spainish shepherd. I love Extremadura, Often over looked by travelers, this region on the boarder with Portugal has spectacular landscapes, amazing food, and some of the most well preserved Roman ruins in the world. For more info on travel to Spain and Extremadua check out, Spain.info
Posted on November 22, 2017
Portugal: Ria Formosa Salt Harvesting
Harvesting Flor de Sal at the Ria Formosa Salt pans In the Algarve, Portugal.
Posted on November 16, 2017
Spain: Tenerife Carnival Vixens
An image from my story “Tenerife’s Wild Carnival“. “Historically, Carnival is the last chance to party for Catholics before 40 days of Lent, a time of penance, sacrifice, and reflection. There will be no abstinence tonight and much to atone for……” Come on, you have to go to this party. Check out Spain.info
Posted on November 14, 2017
Nuno’s Grill & Pizza. Good and cheap food in the Algarve, Portugal
Love it when I find a place that has great food at a reasonable price. Nuno’s is simple, casual and fantastic. The fish is as fresh as you can get.
R. Gen. Humberto Delgado C, 8700-011 Fuseta, Portugal
Updated on November 12, 2017
TIvoli Carveoiro Algarve Resort
The TIvoli Carveoiro Algarve Resort in Portugal is a great example of a 5 star hotel done right. Great food, dance parties by the pool and spacious rooms. It is a happening place and the staff are exemplary. Check it out at Tivoli
Posted on November 2, 2017
Algarve Horse, Portugal.
A simple scenario. A horse in a field in the Algarve region of Portugal.
Updated on November 1, 2017
A Fishing Boat in Salema. Algarve, Portugal.
A fishing boat crew cleans their nets on the Algarve coast, Salema, Portugal.
Posted on October 30, 2017
Eating Algarve. Grilled Sardines.
Wonderful grilled sardines. Eating Algarve Food Tours, Faro, Portugal.
Updated on October 26, 2017
The Birdman of Lisbon, Portugal.
The Birdman of Lisbon. Waterfront Praca Do Comercio, Quay Pillars.
Posted on October 25, 2017
Octopus pots, Salema, Algarve, Portugal.
Octopus pots, Salema, Algarve, Portugal.
Posted on September 27, 2017
Sunset on the Azores
A magnificent sunset on Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores.
Posted on September 17, 2017
Azores Pico Island Portugal
On Pico Island in his home distillery,Augusto Silva shows me the fruits of his labor from which he makes his sweet liquor.His stone walled vineyards of Verdelho grapes are within the Unesco World heritage site in the Criaco Velha wine region on this tiny Island in the Azores.
Posted on September 12, 2017
Costa Rica Flash Dance
A happy accident. Often I “drag the shutter” when shooting flash. Using a shutter speed of 1 second or more, the speed of the flash freezes motion while the background swirls. While Photographing this dancer in Costa Rica with this technique I happened to catch the flash exposure of two other photographers
Posted on September 7, 2017
Compass Youth Collaborative
What a pleasure it has been to work with the Compass Youth Collaborative and the Compass Peace builders out on the streets of the North end of Hartford. Only an hour away from Northampton yet worlds apart. Looking forward to another day out in the community with them.
Posted on August 12, 2017
Extremadura, Spain: Trujillo’s Conquistadors and Plasencia.
Extremadura, Trujillo
Check out my new story from Extremadura Spain on Gonomad https://www.gonomad.com/95815-extremadura-spain-trujillos-conquistadors-plasencia
Posted on July 24, 2017
Extremadura. Savoring the Taste of Spain
Check out my new story on Extremadura Spain featured on Gonomad.com “Savoring the Tastes“
Posted on July 11, 2017
Trujillo Spain.
The city of Trujillo in Extremadura , Spain, feels unchanged by the passage of time. The home of the conquistadors who changed the world in the 16th century, It is a must see destination if you are in Extremadura.
Updated on May 7, 2017
#36th Annual NOHO Pride March 2017
Over 35,000 people turned out for the 36th annual NOHO pride march this year in the paradise of America, Northampton, Massachusetts.
Posted on May 1, 2017
Extravaganja 2017 It takes a village to light a bong
Extravaganja 2017 Northampton, Mass. It takes a village to light a bong.
Posted on March 23, 2017
Japan Travel Kicking it in Kanto
Grilling Unagi at Kawatoyo,Narita.Japan.
Check out my new story on travel in Japan, “Kicking it in Kanto” at Gonomad.com.
Updated on March 13, 2017
Tenerife.
Boy and bronze mask, Teatro Guimera, Santa Cruz, Tenerife, spain, canary islands.
Updated on February 16, 2017
The Johnny Memphis Band. Luthiers, East Hampton,MA.
The Johnny Memphis Band. Luthiers, East Hampton,MA.
Posted on January 10, 2017
Unagi In Narita Japan
Grilling Unagi (eel) in Narita Japan at Kawatoyo. A spectacular dish. The Unagi is cooked three times. Grilled, steamed and a final grilling in sauce to reach a luxurious finish. Really good.
Posted on December 26, 2016
Taproot Magazine
I’m very happy to be in the winter addition of Taproot. ” the magazine for makers, doers and dreamers”. These are first hand stories from people sharing their real life stories. I photographed Emmet Van Driesche’s article , ‘Taking Over The Farm” about his Christmas tree farm in Conway , MA. Great guy, great story.
Posted on December 15, 2016
Japan. Boating in Sawara.
Boat ride on The Onogawa river in Sawara in Japan. A beautiful city with ancient traditional streets and houses.
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