Gezicht op het huis van de familie Wadhams before 1873

This photogravure of the Wadhams House appears within the pages of ‘Historical Sketches of Plymouth’. While the artist, William Schurch, remains somewhat unknown, the image offers a glimpse into the architecture and landscape of Plymouth. The Wadhams House, with its symmetrical facade and neatly fenced perimeter, is presented in stark contrast to the uncultivated, wild land at its base. It evokes questions about land ownership, the pursuit of progress, and the narrative of American expansion. This juxtaposition reflects the early environmental consciousness that began to emerge in response to industrialization. It shows the effect on the landscape and perhaps mirrors broader anxieties about balancing development with the preservation of natural resources. Here, we find not just a portrait of a building, but an invitation to consider the values, priorities, and untold stories embedded in the land itself.