Nesquehoning Valley, From Packer's Point c. 1895

William H. Rau created this albumen print, titled "Nesquehoning Valley, From Packer's Point," sometime in the late 19th century. It offers us a glimpse into both the serenity and the socio-economic realities of the time. Notice the wooden structure, a man-made haven, perched at an advantageous viewpoint of the valley. In the late 1800s, as industrialization swept through America, the concept of 'picturesque' landscapes became a popular ideal, particularly among the upper and middle classes. It was during this time that sites like Packer's Point became tourist destinations, offering respite from the grimy realities of urban life and labor. The presence of people in the photograph invites us to consider questions of access and leisure. Who had the privilege to pause, to contemplate, and to find beauty in these vistas? And, conversely, who toiled in the valley below, fueling the very industries that made such leisure possible? This image, therefore, is more than a landscape. It's a reflection on the interwoven histories of class, labor, and the evolving relationship between humanity and nature.