First Step: Documentation

Urban environments are constantly changing. Buildings can be demolished, repurposed, or repaired over time. Additionally, some historically significant buildings fall into disrepair and become forgotten. As a result, online records or images often cannot keep up with the current condition.

This project aims to document decaying buildings and neighborhoods throughout the Tidewater area. We will be focusing on neglected structures because they provide a broader view of the often underrepresented urban and historical developments of the city. Visual documentation will be especially important for these buildings because it provides a firsthand perspective on these historically significant sites. We want to document these places in order to document the unique past of this region beyond the tourist crowds. Additionally, this spreads awareness on these overlooked sites and allows them to be brought back to light.

This project will document these places through on site photos, historical archives, and local interviews. The goal is to create a consistent archive that captures the current state of this region and to ensure that the stories of these sites remain accessible to all.