On March 9, the Duluth Historical Society and local photographer John Barfield presented one of Barfield’s framed photographs to the City of Duluth. The composite photo shows a dramatic parachute drop on top of a spectacular moment from a Duluth fireworks show.
Barfield shared that the fireworks image was taken in Duluth on July 3, 2005. The parachute with attached flag was a separate image. “That was overlayed on the fireworks,” said Barfield. “This was done in Photoshop before Al.”
Until this month, the uncirculated photograph had never been seen by the public. Now it is on display in Duluth City Hall in celebration of this year’s 250th Anniversary of the United States.
When asked how the photo had come to light in order to be recognized by the city, Barfield said, “I was at an artist reception for Ann Odum (a local Duluth artist) when Candace Morgan [from the Historical Society] heard about my history with Duluth. She wanted to know if I had any historic photos of Duluth, and I mentioned my flag-fireworks image.”…