Rad A. Drew Photography: Lonaconing Silk Mill

Continental Divide at Dawn

Continental Divide at Dawn
Continental Divide at Dawn

Lonaconing Silk Mill

All Photographers are Invited to an Open Shoot at the Lonaconing Silkmill!

My friend, Tony Sweet, first introduced me to the Silk Mill in Lonaconing, Maryland, in about 2012. Since then, I've been back many times to photograph this strangely wonderful location. 

Workers were sent home one day in 1959 during a labor dispute and the mill never reopened. Workers left belongings, tools, and machines set up, thinking they'd be back the next day, but they never went back to work. The place is a veritable time capsule from the 1950's!

On my way to my September Fonthill Castle, Etc., workshop, I'll be stopping to shoot at the Silk Mill as I've done for the past 4 years. I've opened this opportunity to anyone who wants to join in. 

I don't make any money on the Silkmill experience. There is a $100 fee for four hours of shooting that goes directly to the building owner for rehab efforts; I don't make anything on this one. Bringing photographers to shoot is a way I can help Herb keep this historic building standing.

Lonaconing, Maryland, is about an 8 hour drive from Indianapolis. It would be necessary to come the day before and spend the night in one of the towns near Lonaconing. 

If you'd like to join me and a group of other photographers from around the country on a visit there on September 28, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, contact me via this link and I'll send you meet up info and suggestions on where to spend the night. 

After those four hours of shooting at the Silk Mill, you'll be on your own to shoot in the area, head home, whatever. I and any members of my Fonthill Castle, Etc., workshop will drive on to Pennsylvania to complete our 4-day workshop there.

Enjoy the gallery!