First Photographs?

The arrival of our annual issue of the Magazine of Albemarle County History is always eagerly awaited.  This year's issue has some special visual goodies: possibly the first photographs ever taken of Monticello, in Antoinette W. Roades' article, "Photographed by William Roads: A Portrait of the Artist Through the Lens of His Work" (35-66 - images of Monticello on page 61).  Along with possibly being the First Photos Ever of Monticello, these could also possibly be the Saddest Photos Ever of Monticello - it's looking pretty decrepit at that point in time (late 1860s).

A selection of Roads' photographs are currently on display at the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, if you're keen to see more.  Some of Roads' photographs (mostly portraits) are also included in the University of Virginia's Visual History Collection.