AMERICAN LIFE BACK THEN

This project started by chance while I was working on my Day Tripper series. I decided to visit the other side of Manhattan and took a ferry to Staten Island, a place I didn’t know much about. As I walked around and took photos, I found something really interesting: Historic Richmond. I didn’t know what to expect, but what I saw amazed me.

In this area of Staten Island, I found a community that still follows old traditions and wears clothes from a long time ago. They do jobs like sewing, baking, and cleaning—things that feel almost forgotten now. What really stood out to me was the summer classes for kids, where they teach these same traditions. I even met a woman who shared how she helps her husband with these practices, and even though the clothes they wear are expensive, she doesn’t mind. To her, it’s part of something much bigger than just clothes.

This project is still growing. I want to learn more about why this community keeps these traditions alive and how they do it. There’s so much more to discover, and I’m curious about the stories that haven’t been told yet. I’m not just taking pictures—I’m also listening, asking questions, and learning about a completely different way of life. This is a work in progress, and I’m excited to keep exploring this culture.