ABOUT ME and MY BOOK

Hello.  My name is Richard Orton and I want to share my remarkable photographic journey with you.

Years ago I became aware of a world I did not know existed, and it captured my imagination.  I went down the rabbit hole!  I met some remarkable people there, and they changed my life.  Had I not found this world, much of what is now my life would not have been revealed to me.

A little over twenty-five years ago I visited a small community in northwest Nacogdoches County in deep East Texas.  That community, known as County Line, began in the 1870’s when three former slaves, the Upshaw brothers, Guss, Felix, and Jim, settled there. They and other newly emancipated blacks moved there and raised families on land they owned, farmed, and otherwise used to support themselves. They did this at a time when Jim Crow ruled the lives of most blacks throughout the South.  Descendants of these pioneers still live in County Line.  It is one of many similar communities in East Texas and throughout the South.  Would you help me make this little known, but important, part of American history more visible and appreciated?  Would you join my dream?

During the last twenty-five years I have photographed daily life in County Line and learned a lot about its history.  Now I am making a book containing more than 50 duotone photographs and text from community members conveying the contemporary experience of growing up in a “freedom colony.” 

WHAT WE NEED and WHAT YOU GET

It really helps that the University of North Texas Press has already agreed to publish the book in the Fall of 2014!  Yes, really! 

So why do I need your support? 

Printing high quality photographs, known as duotones, is more expensive than normal printing.  As an academic press, UNT Press has budgetary limitations.  So they’ve asked me to raise additional funds. That’s where you come in. 

I’m setting our goal at $8,000. 

If you decide to help me, you will be rewarded.  I’m offering several exhibition quality prints from the book, a production credit printed in the book, and, of course, a signed copy of the book itself.  See the “Perks” section for details.

The Impact

Our American history books have neglected the story of communities like County Line. Known as “freedom colonies,” their importance in the lives of African-Americans after slavery ended deserves to be better known.  They provided opportunities for African-Americans to have better, more independent lives than most other newly freed slaves.  Your contribution to my book will help correct this mistake.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if you are not able to contribute financially you can still help by getting the word out to people you know who might be interested in contributing.  You can use the share tools located below the video.