New exhibit features work of Addison County photographer

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - The Henry Sheldon Museum reopens to the public on July 13 with a new local photography exhibit.

“The Faces of Addison County” exhibit features the work of former Addison Independent photographer Trent Campbell.

“It was really a connection to the people that were most important to me,” said Campbell.

With 20 years of shooting photographs for the local newspaper, Campbell locked thousands of moments in time.

“Finding those special moments was important to me, and capturing moments that weren’t every day, but weren’t captured in other ways or by other people,” said Campbell.

Now, those moments are on display, proudly demonstrating the best of what Addison County has to offer.

“It manifested itself both in my career and in recovery from my stroke and that is the sense of community,” said Campbell.

Campbell’s career was cut short when he suffered two strokes -- one in 2018 and another, one year later. But he could go assemble photos for the exhibit.

“We were really thrilled with the idea of honoring Trent,” said the museum’s Mary Manley.

With the support of National Geographic photographer Jim Blair and other community partners, including the Vermont Arts Council, the photos came to life. Manley says they have a very appropriate home.

“Henry was a collector of so many things, but that included historic photographs, a lot of which documented Addison County,” she said.

At multiple cross-sections, Cambell and the museum were one and the same in caring for their community. Museumgoers can now get the chance to look at a snapshot of moments from his home.

“I hope they see the joy that exists in people’s lives,” said Campbell.

He says during a very dark moment as he recovered from the strokes, a doctor reminded him of the joy photography brought him over the decades.

“The thing to remember is that there are wonderful things, and wonderful people and beautiful people, and I hope that’s something people take away when they see this,” he said.

The exhibit will be on display until September.

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