I’m working with historian and Laurel Leader columnist Kevin Leonard on a book that will showcase a treasure trove of vintage photos and artifacts from the personal collection of the Berman family—the visionary developers who created Laurel Shopping Center in 1956, and made many other cultural contributions.

Denny Berman has donated a massive archive of materials to the Laurel Historical Society—items saved by his father Melvin and uncle Wolford Berman more than half a century ago. Kevin and I are carefully scanning and cataloging each piece, and will be producing two books: one that includes a narrative overview, and one that is simply a visual catalog of the Berman Collection.