Re-Creating a Morning Arrival from 1943
September 16, 2026
It all started with a photograph — and an “aha” moment that came a little later, but not too late to turn the picture into a great story. (This one!)
As you remember, last school year, Mary C. Wheeler Historian and Archivist Bob Martin P’05, P’10, curated an exhibition and catalog of recent acquisitions to the school’s collection of Mary C. Wheeler artwork. As part of that process, he entered metadata for hundreds of photographs scanned into the Wheeler archives.
When the exhibition was on display, Mr. Martin and Senior Director of Philanthropy and Engagement Michele Sczerbinski Diaz ’86, P’25 gave Wheeler alumnae Miriam Graves Kenney ’53 and her sister, Carol Graves Cimilluca ’59, a guided tour. In return, Miriam and Carol shared stories and memories of their family’s multigenerational connections to Wheeler.
A few days after that conversation, Mr. Martin remembered that he had entered Miriam’s name into the metadata for several photographs now in the archives. One in particular caught his attention: a 1943 image of seven-year-old Miriam, Easter basket in hand, arriving at the main entrance to Hope Building, where she was greeted by then Head of School Mabel Van Norman.
And then came the realization: Miriam had retraced those very same steps during her recent visit to campus. Unfortunately, Mr. Martin had missed the chance to capture the moment, eight decades later.
Fortunately, Ms. Diaz was able to arrange a return visit on May 15, which happened to be Mary C. Wheeler’s 180th birthday, Miriam and Carol were joined by their sister, Nancy Graves Wilson ’62. “The three sisters followed a familiar Wheeler path, turning from Hope Street toward the brick-arched entrance to Hope Building,” says Mr. Martin. “This time, I was waiting in the same spot from which the 1943 photograph had been taken.”
The Graves sisters say it made for a special photo session. ”We are grateful for our family’s multi-generational connection that dates back to our mother, who was a student of Miss Wheeler. And we are especially grateful to Wheeler for preserving these sweet memories.”
Following their campus visit, Mr. Martin brought the 1943 and 2026 photographs together in Photoshop to create the montage featured in this story. “Merging past and present is a motif in my personal art,” he notes, “and it has also found its way into many meaningful projects during my time at Wheeler.”
And so, more than 80 years after that first photograph was taken, Miriam found herself standing in the same place once again.
Mr. Martin’s sincere thanks go to Miriam, Carol, and Nancy “for indulging my little flight of photographic fancy.” We, too, are tremendously thankful to the Graves sisters for returning to our Providence campus (once again) and giving us the chance to preserve this special family connection…and the connection between Wheeler’s now and then.
