PICTURES OF CHANGE IN PARADISE At the Turn of the 20th Century in American Samoa (1st revised edition) was selected for hard cover binding in 2017 by the Library of Congress (LOC) in Washington, D.C. for the public to read and research in the Jefferson and Adams Reading Rooms at the LOC as a nonfiction reference book! This older edition is not in print.
Both the 1st and 2nd revised editions highlight the recovered 100 year-old photo album and showcase 52 black & white pictures (enhanced professional photos, circa 1910) plus 3 more from her family collection. The 2nd revised edition continues to include Photo Galleries of Ceremonial & Traditional Dress, Places, Landscape, Historic Buildings, the Fitafita (Island Naval Military) and the U.S. Naval Station, Tutuila, Pago Pago, American Samoa, circa 1910. This book also highlights the Fine Art of Siapo (tapa) by an American Samoa Community College Art Teacher.
Karen is honored to have her publication included in the Library of Congress book stacks.
About The Author
Karen Wheat lives in western Michigan with her husband, Richard Meads. She is the mother of four adult children and grandmother to seven grandchildren. She is a graduate of Northwood University with a degree in Executive Secretarial Science. Karen has traveled to American Samoa numerous times interviewing the people there concerning the photos, researching and taking part and enjoying cultural events while happily living in the village of Leone for extended periods of time. In an indigenous Samoan art class taught by Reggie Meredith she learned about the fine art of siapo (tapa design), Samoan mat making and Samoan pottery.
It is Karen's hope that the photographs in this book facilitate the preservation of the fine art of siapo, the weaving of fine mats, siva dancing and music, traditional oratory skills, the kava ceremony and the patriotism of those who serve in the United States military. Four of the buildings in the Dwyer Collection are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Karen is grateful to have had this meaningful cultural experience, this opportunity to share it with the public and to hand-down this book to her family especially.
