Wisconsin Death Trip

Back in 1967, author and historian Michael Lesy stumbled across a collection of late-19th century photographs taken in a small town in Wisconsin called Black River Falls. Intrigued by what he saw, he started reading the town newspapers from the same period. Artfully arranging the photos and newspaper fragments in sequences, Lesy published them under the title "Wisconsin Death Trip" in 1973. This audio slide show includes an interview with Lesy and images from the book, in addition to other images of Victorian post-mortem photography. http://www.backstoryradio.org/2009/05/wisconsin-death-trip/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Wisconsin Death Trip
• BackStory
• post-mortem photography
• Michael Lesy
• Black River Falls

[odinfellow]

Anyone who has ever been around horses knows that horse is malnourished. I think it is obvious the second picture's placement is to emphasize the ribs of the horse, a symptom of malnutrition.

[sagorevach]

so, about what is this movie?

[SpahnRanch1969]

@minjofu I like creepy stuff, too. I bought the book when I visited Wisconsin.

The documentary was ok, I just hated the whispered delivery.

[minjofu]

@SpahnRanch1969

I was actually introduced to the idea behind this doc when someone showed me the book, and I'd definately be interested in owning a copy of it.. I saw the doc primarily because I love documentaries, and this seemed like a really interesting subject to learn about via that format.. I also really enjoy anything spooky, and the doc was recommended on a few "most creepy/disturbing" lists .. I guess its' like any book come movie "The book was better" .. lol

[SpahnRanch1969]

@minjofu I prefer the book. The whispering in the movie annoyed the hell out of me.

[CuteCatFaith]

I saved up and bought the book legally, and it is really excellent. A keeper. Very good video, uprated. I am from Ohio and grew up a short period in Wisconsin, now live in France where I find country funerals such as in Brittany very interesting. Everyone sits with the body for a few days.

[minjofu]

This movie is so fricken awesome!

[Zenistential]

@sagorevach if you don't understand that from watching this video, I don't know what to tell you.

[Midnightryder7]

children back then died of childhood sickness..it was normal to take pics of a dead person or child..it's called post mortem Photography taken durring the victorian days..I'm sure if u do some research on your family backround from the 1800's u to will come across pics like this..sad i agree..but that's how it was back then!

[goback3spaces]

If the author has a point in mind, the point eludes me.