Photo 1 Photographer Unknown
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Why include this diorama (Photo 1) in a blog largely devoted to model railroading? After all no trains are depicted here. The answer: because there is much to learn for model railroaders from such museum dioramas. And while it is not often modeled, railroads did operate on plantations themselves - witness the sugar cane plantations in Hawaii and elsewhere that were serviced by both plantations railroads and common carriers alike.
This diorama, located at the Rice Museum, demonstrates how agricultural land can be depicted in diorama form. Observe the story-telling it performs and that model railroads should also accomplish. First, notice the model workers on the left tending to this field. Second, this diorama also illustrates how South Carolina's rice crop was transported as it depicts at the foreground a body of water. Third it depicts the mode of transport of the crop: a flat boat. Lastly, the modeler has included some docks of sort to indicate how and where the flat boats were loaded.
Notice this diorama's curved backdrop - a useful technique with model railroads. I would nitpick and add that the horizon on this backdrop is a bit too high and so detracts from its effectiveness; this is a lesson model railroaders should take to heart. The lighting probably could be more effective - it appears that this Rice Museum diorama has only one source of light that focuses on the middle of the scene and leaves at least the left side of the diorama a bit in the dark - yet we can often learn more from less than perfect attempts than perfect projects.
Opened in 1970, the museum is located at 633 Front Street Georgetown South Carolina 29440 Hours as of this writing are Tuesday through Saturday 11 AM to 4 PM.
Yes, this Photo 1 captures a bit of a reflection but your blogger expects readers will overlook this shortcoming. Contrast Photo 2 in a much larger scale at another museum for the story it tells through the diorama art form.
Photo 2 Rice harvesting from a diorama at Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
The Louisian State Exhibit Museum was completed in 1939 as a New Deal Public Works project. Real about diorama construction methods at www.laexhibitmuseuem.org
Revised May 27, 2023
Revised July 12, 2023
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