Home > News & Events > Media images: End of an Era: The Photography of Jack Jeffers

Cyrus the Mountain Man, 1972

Silver Sulfide Print, 5 of 50, Printed and signed in 1980

Cyrus lived with his family in a rugged mountain region of western Nelson County. He died during the mid-1980s.

It took me about a year and many visits to his old home place in the depths of the Blue Ridge Mountains before Cyrus would allow me to make a photograph of him. When it finally happened he was standing in front of his weathered chicken house and after several exposures he put his hand up and said, "that's enough…."that's enough…." I always tried to give the subject a print of themselves and Cyrus was no exception. I had to wonder how they would react to the image I made but with Cyrus there was no doubt. The local postmaster at that time told me that he showed that photograph … to just about everyone in that part of the Blue Ridge.”

Credit: Virginia Historical Society, 1996.81.21

Carter, 1980

Silver Sulfide Print, 3 of 15, Printed and signed in 1981

This image was taken near Lovingston, Virginia. Lovingston is located in Nelson County, southwest of Charlottesville.

“This image was totally impromptu. I spotted Carter sitting on his front porch during a day trip along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I took the direct approach and walked right up to his place and asked if he would permit me to make a photograph of him. He must have thought I was nuts, but he allowed me to make several exposures, all of which were equally as nice as the one shown. It has been one of my favorites over the years.”

Credit: Virginia Historical Society, 1996.81.22

Last of the Old Menhaden Workboats at Reedville, Va., 1978

Silver Sulfide Print, 12 of 25, Printed and signed in 1995

This image was taken in Reedville, Virginia, which is located in Northumberland County at the eastern end of the Northern Neck.

This image shows the last of the Old Menhaden Workboats at Reedville, Virginia, in 1978. The print features two boats tied to a dock in the foreground. On the back of the image, photographer Jack Jeffers handwrote this note: “All of these were burned shortly after this documentation.”

Credit: Virginia Historical Society, 1996.81.25

Mountain Man, 1972

Silver Sulfide Print, 2 of 50, Printed and signed in 1978

"The portrait of the Mountain Man was made in a remote area of West Virginia…. He was a hermit who lived alone, and according to a local Post Office employee, he drifted into town from time to time to find odd jobs and purchase fresh provisions. I just happened to run into him during one of my field trips into the Allegheny Highlands. His last name was Barnhouse. About eighty when [photographed]. Near Marlington, W. Va…. I felt that even though [photographs like this one] were not literally made in Virginia they are still representative of what once went on in the state."

Credit: Virginia Historical Society 1996.81.49

Highland County, Va., 1979

Silver Sulfide Print, 4 of 40, Printed and signed in 1979

This image was taken west of Hightown, Virginia. It is featured on the cover of the book Appalachian Byways published 1984 by Jack Jeffers.

"My purpose in life has been my art. That is my gift and contribution to society and to future generations. If you are an ardent admirer of rural beauty, nostalgia, and grass roots America at her finest, this is a documentary that will never grow old."

Credit: Virginia Historical Society, 1996.81.73

Daybreaking, 1979

Silver Sulfide Print, 3 of 10, Printed and signed in 1979

This image was taken near Bluemont, Virginia. Bluemont is located west of Leesburg.

"This generation of mountain people who allowed me to capture their faces and preserve a passing way of life on film is gone forever. But their faces will remain for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the permanence of the silver sulfide image."

Credit: Virginia Historical Society, 1996.81.88

Virginia’s Little Switzerland, 1981

Silver Sulfide Print, 8 of 35, Printed and signed in 1995

This image was taken between Blue Grass and Hightown, Virginia. Blue Grass and Hightown are located in Highland County, close to the West Virginia state line.

"This was my absolute favorite stomping ground…. Over time, I got to know a lot of people in this area and that made it a lot easier for me to capture the images I needed."

Credit: Virginia Historical Society, 1996.81.94

Old Lady in a Car, Bridgewater, Va., 1979

Silver Sulfide Print, 12 of 15, Printed and signed in 1994

"I spotted Mrs. Williams sitting in a vintage motorcar at an antique automobile show one hot summer day near Harrisonburg, Virginia…. My immediate reaction was that this would make a great photograph. I loved the way she was framed behind three window openings. She seemed so far away in a dream world of her own…. As it turned out, she was totally blind…."

Credit: Virginia Historical Society, 1996.81.106