(The O. Winston Link Museum issued the following news release on December 29.)
ROANOKE, Va. — A museum devoted to the work of famed photographer O. Winston Link will open Jan. 10 in the newly renovated N&W Railway Passenger Station in downtown Roanoke, Va.
Link, one of the 20th century’s most acclaimed photographers, is known for his dramatically lit black and white photographs of trains and railroad towns. The Museum will house the largest collection of his work and will display more than 200 of his most widely recognized images. The collection also is expected to include recently recovered stolen prints, some of which have never before been seen by the public. Doors will open at 9 a.m.
OPENING DAY HIGHLIGHTS:
10:30 a.m. — Ribbon-cutting ceremony with invited guests:
Virginia Gov. Mark Warner
U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte
Roanoke Mayor Ralph Smith
Norfolk Southern Corp. Chairman David Goode
Miss Virginia Nancy Redd
Museum organizing curator Thomas Garver
Conway Link, son of the late O. Winston Link
11: 15 a.m. — Reunion of those who appeared in the photographs Link took along the N&W Railway in the late 1950s and that are part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
11:30 a.m. — Lecture:
“The Experience of Working with Winston Link” presented by Thomas Garver, organizing curator of the O. Winston Link Museum and leading authority on the photographer’s work.
Noon & 2 p.m. — Lecture:
“The Trouble With Conchita,” presented by J. Edward Meyer, Link’s personal attorney, who will discuss the legal battle with Link’s ex-wife, who was convicted in 1996 of stealing $2 million worth of the photographer’s work. Conchita Mendoza Link was arrested again in 2003 for allegedly attempting to sell 30 of the stolen prints.
1:30 p.m. — Lecture:
“Winston Link’s N&W Project: Why Did He Do It?” presented by Thomas Garver.
The Museum, which is located at 101 Shenandoah Ave. in downtown Roanoke (across from The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center), will remain open until 5 p.m.