vintage view...

We had SOME kind of adventure Saturday! My parents wanted to take a journey out to Wilmington, Illinois. We gathered all our little heads into the truck and hit the road. If you know me, you know I LOVE small town hospitality, and Wilmington's charm certainly fit the bill. Short streets lined in antique stores and old-fashioned signs to welcome you inside were music for my heart. We ate at Hayden's Crossing, an old barn turned restaurant, on Water Street. I've had good food and sweet tea before, but we really enjoyed it here!!Afterwords, we stepped into one of the many antique stores in the area. Aisles and aisles of treasures from years gone by were so fascinating to take in and explore. Everyone was SO content to rake their eyes over all of the goodies on the shelves, in glass cabinets, and hiding in corners. Aly discovered old jewlery, and Brandan picked through old tractor toys. My mom found some unusual nostalgia in pieces that she has in her possession already at HOME! (hmmmm...note to self: Momma's got $$ in antiques!) It's funny to see what certain things are worth and how we value items from days gone by. Aly wanted to know how to dial this pink rotary phone!!! "Which buttons do I push?" I shuffled through my favorite Golden Books, of which I have a hefty collection, but didn't find anything I just HAD to have. But there was ONE thing...I added a new member to my vintage camera collection today.I've been researching the Kodak Brownie cameras. I'm still trying to determine the exact year on this little puppy. I have some damage to the leather on the top, the hand strap is missing, and a bit of a buckle on the back door, but he's so cute!!

So far, I have investigated this much: "Kodak made the 'Box Brownie model No 2A' between 1930-1933. The camera was released in an aluminum case as well as in blue, brown, grey, green, and red cases.

George Eastman patented his first Kodak camera in 1889 with the slogan: 'You press the button we do the rest'. Over the next century Kodak cameras revolutionized photography by reducing costs and making simple but high quality camera's available to non-professionals.
The earliest Kodaks were simple box cameras which were sent to a local dealer after all the shots on the film inside were taken. The dealer developed the film and sent the photographs and the reloaded camera back to the photographer. Kodak realized the real money was in the sale and developing of film and he introduced numerous models to capture the interest of people from all walks of life.

While introducing a wide range of innovative features, two designs dominated Kodak's cameras. The most famous of these was the Box Brownie, designed by Frank Brownell, and introduced at the cost of one dollar in 1900. Brownie's were produced in one form or another up until the 1960s when the Kodak Instamatic was introduced."

Can you imagine? A camera that cost $1.00 to purchase? Now, I want to know why this wasn't all the rage with MORE of my forefathers and ancestors back in turn of the century when my grandfather was born!!! Oh! My! GOSH!

Well, needless to say...I am in love...(Shhhh! Don't tell my husband!)
We ended up wrapping up our afternoon with some ice cream at the Plush Horse, after taking the long way home (winding two lanes through Joliet).
AND a possible idea for a new trip...We are starting to twirl the idea of heading down Route 66 to St. Louis for Mom's "66th" birthday this year!! How fun is that? I'm thinking that it is SUCH a great way to wrap up the summer, too! Hmmm...something new to research, I guess! I'll keep you informed!