HONORING ROMUS BROADWAY: A teen photography camp has been created in honor of the late photographer Romus Broadway, who for decades documented life in Princeton’s Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. (Broadway at ACP in 2015)

Now in its fourth year, a teen photography camp honoring the late photographer Romus Broadway — who documented life in Princeton’s Witherspoon-Jackson (W-J) neighborhood for decades — continues to inspire the next generation of storytellers. The camp offers photography instruction, lessons in local history, and digital cameras to 10 selected student applicants.

Broadway captured daily life in the W-J neighborhood through thousands of images from the late 1950s through the early 2000s. He passed away in the summer of 2020, leaving behind a profound legacy as the unofficial photographic historian of a tight-knit community. His photo collages have been displayed at events, church services, schools, and community programs — including at the Arts Council of Princeton for many years.

“As one of the founding members of the Romus Broadway Camp, I am filled with hope and comfort seeing it continue to thrive. Partnering with the Arts Council of Princeton was truly the icing on the cake — this collaboration is a perfect match. Together, we’re able to provide students with top-notch instruction and meaningful support that honors Romus’s legacy,” said Lance Liverman, a member of the organizing committee alongside Iona Harding, Asha Weal, the Rev. Gregory Smith, and Adam Welch.

The camp combines the fundamentals of photography with the history of the Witherspoon-Jackson community. Photographers Asha Weal and Davon Rodgers designed the curriculum. Both residents and non-residents were invited to apply, and 10 students were selected.

Participants, ages 12 to 15, will benefit from two weeks of full-day instruction at the end of this month. Each day focuses on a different aspect of photography fundamentals and the local history that inspired Broadway to begin documenting his community over 75 years ago. The students will explore sites across the Princeton University campus and the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, a historically Black community and Princeton’s 20th Historic District. All participants will keep the digital camera they use throughout the session.

The Romus Broadway Photography Camp is endorsed by the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society, whose mission is to research, preserve, understand, appreciate, and celebrate the rich and proud history of African Americans in Princeton, in partnership with the Arts Council of Princeton.

For information about sponsoring a child, email emma@artscouncilofprinceton.org.