A new exhibit at the Port Washington Public Library offers a rare glimpse into the town’s past through the lens of one of its most iconic photography studios.
Now on view in the library’s Columns Gallery, Mason on Main: A Photographic History of Mason Studio 1920-1985, features a curated selection of images from Mason Studio, a Port Washington mainstay that operated for decades at 118 Main St. before closing in 1985.
The studio’s extensive archive, comprising approximately 20,000 photographs, was acquired by the library after its closure and serves as the foundation for the exhibit.
The collection spans over 70 years of Port Washington history, capturing moments from the 1920s through the 1970s. The images on display include portraits of local residents, snapshots of downtown businesses, historic buildings, and community events, offering visitors a vivid, visual narrative of the town’s evolution.
The exhibit is funded by the Friends of the Library and is free and open to the public during regular library hours.
For those interested in Port Washington’s heritage, this exhibit provides a meaningful connection to the past and a chance to celebrate the stories that have shaped the community.
