I began Lessons of Place as part of the Illinois State Bicentennial and Illinois Humanities “Forgotten Illinois”. I photographed rural sites throughout the state. This led to a commission from Landmarks Illinois to photograph sites throughout the state that were identified as “Endangered Places” by people in the surrounding communities.

I founded Lessons of Place to continue this study, asking questions about our relationship to the concept of place and how it applies in each locales.

“So far, this journey is a kind of pilgrimage; an opportunity to explore my present home state. I’m drawn to these old places by their spirit and craftsmanship; fascinated by the way they’ve worn. I love to stand beside them and ponder what it was like when they were built, what it was like to live the life intended for them, and the forces that were marshaled for their creation. I am drawn by an appreciation of history and affinity for complexities in the passage of time. An acknowledgment of loss, and change and difference.”