MacKenzie Granzow takes a photo as Noah Ebersole-Morehouse, front, and Zack Stanley, back, look on. Students participated in a photo safari put on by Shepherd Professor Keith Alexander of the Historic Preservation Program. (Submitted photo courtesy of Amanda Groff)

Photographs taken by Shepherdstown Elementary School students answering the question “What Makes Shepherdstown Unique” will be exhibited at the Entler Hotel on Friday, July 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. The photos were taken during a “photo safari” developed and organized by Keith Alexander, coordinator of Shepherd University’s historic preservation program.

The photo safari, held May 26, involved Shepherdstown Elementary School fifth graders taking pictures of Shepherdstown with digital cameras. The cameras were purchased through a grant received by Alexander from the Two Rivers Giving Circle. Alexander worked with three teachers at the elementary school – Amanda Groff, Leslie Boyd and Ashley Snow – to plan and implement the event. Stephanie-Ann Osborn, a recent graduate of Shepherd and one of Alexander’s students, also helped with planning.

Teachers gave students a general background on the history of Shepherdstown and its natural resources. Students also received some training in how to use the cameras and advice on how to take a good picture.

Otherwise, they were left on their own in order to give them a chance to capture their own ideas about what makes their hometown special.

Common themes included the tree in front of the Shepherdstown Public Library, McMurran Hall, the Rumsey Monument, Town Run and the Little House.

There were also some perspectives on the town that can best be appreciated by viewing the photos themselves.

The photos will be available to view online after the exhibit, which is free and open to the public. The Historic Shepherdstown Commission contributed in-kind support to make the exhibit possible.