Poughkeepsie Journal Sunday, August 19, 2007

162 years of history

By Kathleen Wereszynski Murray

Clinton Corners resident Molly Ahearn has assembled maps, memorabilia, antique photographs and her own contemporary photographs of the Dutchess County Fair in a new historical account, "The Dutchess County Fair: Portrait of an American Tradition."

In it she reveals fair headliners from former President Teddy Roosevelt to "American Pie" singer/songwriter Don McLean. She also uncovers why President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was fascinated with a horse named John the Baptist and discovers "hootchy-kootchy" girls once tantalized male fairgoers.

Ahearn, who works for Namaro Graphic Designs in Rhinebeck and has been published in The New York Times, Bioscience and Poughkeepsie Journal, studied at the International Center of Photography in New York and worked as an assistant to Magnum photographer Bruce Davidson.

Her own black-and-white photographs in the book document an exhausted girl using her sheep as a pillow, two boys taking a spin on the Tilt-a-Whirl and a young man trimming his pig's tail prior to competition.

What Ahearn does best is illustrate how agriculture remains the heart of the fair for which she will again judge the amateur photo competition.

She will sign copies of "The Dutchess County Fair: Portrait of an American Tradition" throughout this week's fair as well as during upcoming appearances at local Barnes & Noble bookstores.

How long have you been taking photographs at the fair?

The first summer I moved here in 1994 is the first fair I went to, and I've been shooting it ever since.Why did the fair appeal to you as a subject matter?I grew up in suburban New Jersey for the most part. I was drawn to the rural nature of the fair, the agriculture. I was very interested in the simple family fun of it, the wholesomeness of it.

Why did you decide to feature all black-and-white photographs?

It shows the timelessness of the fair. I think the 4-H kids with their animals are the ones that really embody it. That same scene has been played out since the beginnings of the fair.

Why did you decide to make your book a historical account instead of only a collection of contemporary fair photographs?

I have never done that kind of research before. But the publisher (Black Dome Press) thought it would be more interesting. There has never been a history of the fair done. I think people take it for granted.

What was your research process?

I did a lot of researching in old Poughkeepsie Journals at the Adriance Memorial Library. I took a stab at 200 years of microfiche. I also collected photographs that people had in their attics and from the Museum of Rhinebeck History.

Why does the Dutchess County Fair warrant such an homage?

I think the reason the fair is special is because it still keeps agriculture at the core of it. It keeps it from being an amusement park. It's a celebration of harvest time and the rides are just added fun. Also, the grounds are just beautifully kept. It's very welcoming.

Which photo is your favorite?

The one I'm most proud of is the one that's on the cover of the book, the draught-horse competition. I spent years trying to get that photo. I would shoot roll after roll and be disappointed that I didn't capture the feeling of the Percherons running past you. One day I laid down and put my camera up under the lowest railing. From that low angle, they (the horses) were looking at me. That photo is from two years ago, maybe three.

Tell me about the horse John the Baptist.

I wanted to get background on a photo (page 33) from Steven Mann of a high-diving horse that I liked myself. It turns out FDR was intrigued by the horse and rider diving off a 40-foot platform into a pool of water. The trainer introduced FDR to the horse, John the Baptist.

Some readers may be surprised to see the picture of the hootchy-kootchy booths (page 37).

So was I, considering now the fair is so wholesome now. Apparently, there were all kinds of things going on back in the day.

What are some can't-miss shots for you this year?

One of the things I'm really looking forward to is the rodeo, which is new.