Banks Historical Society Announces “Banks: Then And Now” Flora Munford Photography Competition (Photo) - 10/14/26
The competition challenges photographers of all ages to re-create Flora Munford’s historic 1910 photographs of Banks, Oregon from the same vantage point today.
Banks, Oregon, October 14, 2026 – The Banks Historical Society today launched the Flora Munford Photography Competition “Banks: Then and Now.” The challenge for photographers is to choose one of Flora Munford’s historic 1910 photographs of Banks, find the location where the original photographer stood and photograph the same view as it looks today. Entries will be judged on similarity of vantage point, composition/visual interest and how effectively the photograph illustrates change over time.
The photography contest is being held in conjunction with the Banks Historical Society and Banks Public Library’s fall “History Thursdays,” a series of three local history presentations to be held at the Banks Public Library on November 12, 19 and December 3 at 7:00pm.
No special camera is required – smartphone photos are welcome. Winners will be awarded in three age categories: 12 and under, 13 to 17 and Adult. Winning photographs will be showcased at the December 3, 2026 presentation of “Flora Munford: At the Birth of Banks” at the Banks Public Library at 7:00pm.
Details about the competition, contest source images and the competition entry form are available on the Banks Historical Society website.
Photo submissions must be received by midnight PT on November 15, 2026.
“In addition to taking some of the earliest photographs of Banks, Flora was also a highly influential person in church and civic life here for nearly 40 years – including having served as treasurer on the very first Banks City Council when the town incorporated in 1920,” said Jennifer Allen Newton, secretary of the Banks Historical Society and one of the presenters of the history series. “Despite Flora’s many contributions to the community, most people here have never heard of her. We aim to change that!” Newton added.
About Flora Munford’s photographs
Beginning around 1908 - 1910, Flora Munford took some of the earliest photographs of Banks. Her images give us a rare glimpse into the birth of the town, which grew rapidly in the wake of incoming railroad lines in 1906 and 1911.
Flora photographed homes, horses, buggies and cars on dirt streets. She captured the people and the iconic false-front buildings of local merchants, including the Banks Pharmacy, which Flora owned with her husband, town doctor William “Doc” Munford. Flora turned some of her photos into postcards, which she sold at the pharmacy and sent to family and friends. Winning photographs will be displayed at the library, next to Flora’s photograph of the same scene.
This project is funded, in part, by a grant to the Banks Historical Society from the Cultural Coalition of Washington County.
About the Banks Historical Society
The mission of the Banks Historical Society is to preserve, protect, and promote the history and heritage of Banks, Oregon—and all municipalities and rural areas within the Banks School District—through educational programs, exhibitions, community engagement, and recognition of local, state, and national historic landmarks and resources in the service area. The Banks Historical Society is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and historical purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible and are eligible for Oregon’s Cultural Tax Credit.
