Collage of Lenore's natural scenery, historic landmarks, cultural traditions, and community landscapes.
Expand to read a detailed image description: Photovoice Picture Collage
A photographic collage introducing the Southern West Virginia Photovoice Project in the Lenore area of Mingo County. Images depict autumn foliage, a wild ginseng root, red berries, pink flowers, Lackey Cemetery, a historic railroad tunnel, winding mountain roads, a railroad crossing, Laurel Lake, forested hillsides, and rocky woodland scenery. A large green banner across the center reads “Southern West Virginia Photovoice Project – Lenore Area, Mingo County,” with the tagline “Their images ~ Their words ~ Their ideas for change.”

The Lenore Area Photovoice Group was located in Mingo County, West Virginia. Members of the Lenore Area Photovoice Group (in alphabetical order) included:

Aimee Colegrove, Amy Copley, Anna Hartley, Donna Hatfield, Pat Tingler, and Violet Vance.

From September of 2008 to May of 2009, these six women created more than 50 photostories telling the story of their area. Their photostories fall within the five major themes listed below. Click on a theme to view a selection of the photostories from that category.

Themes

Click on the theme heading to view the photostories in that category. Expand the image by clicking on it.

Two photographs show Laurel Lake surrounded by forested hills in Mingo County. The left image captures calm water reflecting green and yellow trees along the shoreline, while the right shows a wider view of the lake nestled between wooded mountains with early autumn foliage. The photographs highlight the lake as a peaceful natural setting valued by residents for fishing, recreation, and social gatherings.
Three photographs show members of Freedom United Baptist Church gathered for a traditional Christmas program. The left image shows families and congregation members seated inside the church, the upper-right image shows children and adults dressed in festive costumes, and the lower image shows children performing near the altar beneath a wooden cross. Together, the photographs illustrate the church's role in bringing families together through faith, celebration, and community traditions.
Three photographs show a large extended family gathered in a living room for a Christmas Eve celebration at the photographer's grandfather's home. Adults and children sit on couches, chairs, and the floor, surrounded by wrapped presents, holiday decorations, and food. The images capture family members of different generations visiting, exchanging gifts, and celebrating together, illustrating the importance of family connections and longstanding holiday traditions.
Two photographs highlight fishing opportunities at Laurel Lake. The left image shows a concrete boat ramp extending into the calm lake, surrounded by a wooded shoreline. The right image shows several large bass swimming beneath the greenish water. Together, the photographs illustrate Laurel Lake's importance as a destination for fishing, boating, and family recreation in the Lenore area.
A wooden playground structure with elevated platforms, ladders, and a slide stands in a grassy clearing surrounded by trees at the Laurel Lake Picnic Area. Located near a former swimming pool facility, the playground provides a recreational space where children and families can gather and enjoy the outdoors.

A person wearing an orange sleeveless shirt holds up a large, branching wild ginseng root with several thick sections and long, thin tendrils. Found in Mingo County, the unusually large root reportedly weighed seven ounces and was estimated to be more than 100 years old, illustrating the region's tradition of gathering wild ginseng.
A narrow paved road enters an old railroad tunnel carved through a rocky hillside, with brick supports framing the entrance and a striped roadside warning sign. The historic tunnel now serves as a one-lane highway used by local traffic, school buses, and coal trucks.
Two photographs show the historic Dingess Tunnel, a narrow, brick-lined former railroad tunnel surrounded by wooded hills. The left image shows the dark tunnel entrance along a paved road, while the right shows the view from inside the tunnel toward the road and trees beyond. Built in 1914 to transport coal, the tunnel was converted to a one-lane highway in the 1960s and remains in use by vehicles.
An old stone drainage culvert with two dark openings stands among trees and vegetation in a wooded area of Laurel Lake Park. A shallow, leaf-covered drainage channel leads toward the structure, which was built beneath the former main road in Lenore.
A young boy wearing a blue shirt stands among tall green cornstalks, holding an ear of corn he has picked from a family garden. The photograph illustrates the importance of home gardening, growing food, and passing agricultural traditions between generations.
A man kneels beside two young boys in camouflage and outdoor clothing at the base of a wooden hunting stand in a forest, illustrating deer hunting as a family tradition in the Lenore area.
Two photographs show a herd of deer grazing in a grassy, brush-covered field, including a distinctive white deer among several brown deer, highlighting the rare animal found in the area.
Several white and blue beehive boxes are spaced across a grassy clearing surrounded by leafless trees and brush near Simmons Branch, illustrating the area's traditional beekeeping practices.
Three photographs show a secluded family cemetery in the mountains, including its wooden entrance sign, an American flag, and graves decorated with colorful flowers and wreaths. The images highlight the cemetery's importance as a place of family heritage, remembrance, and community tradition.

A tall tree with brilliant golden-yellow autumn leaves stands among surrounding woodland beneath a clear blue sky, highlighting the seasonal beauty of the Lenore area.
A peaceful lake surrounded by densely forested mountains displaying green, yellow, and red autumn foliage, with a narrow road following the shoreline.
Early morning fog rises from the surface of Laurel Lake, partially obscuring the forested hills surrounding the water.
A rocky hillside covered with trees, shrubs, and green vegetation, with exposed layers of stone and scattered yellow and red autumn leaves.
Sunlight streams through an opening in the trees, illuminating a winding dirt road surrounded by dense forest and colorful autumn foliage near Laurel Lake.
A rustic wooden footbridge with stone pillars stretches beneath a large evergreen tree in the grassy Laurel Lake Picnic Area, surrounded by woodland.

Discarded cups, paper, and other litter scattered along the grassy shoulder of a paved road near Laurel Creek.
Four photographs show aging, narrow bridges formerly used by railroads, including deteriorating pavement and a school bus approaching a bridge.
Two photographs show deteriorating pavement beside a bridge wall and a road edge eroding into a steep creek bank.
A vacant brick Shop-Wise grocery store with a closed entrance, empty parking area, and wooded hillside behind it.
Two photographs show an overgrown roadside property with a damaged fence, abandoned sign structure, and parked trailers in the background.
Two roadside views show overgrown vegetation, cut brush, and brown foliage near a guardrail.

Collage of an overgrown campground, lake with bench, fenced swimming pool, and pool closure sign.
A paved walking path curves past a large tree in Ritter Park, with a pedestrian and parked car in the background.
Two views of a vacant gravel lot near railroad tracks and a road crossing, surrounded by wooded hills.
Clothing racks and tables displaying items for sale in a large parking lot near a roadside business.
A narrow, unpaved country road winds through dense woodland with green and yellow autumn foliage.
A shallow woodland creek cluttered with discarded bottles, cans, fallen branches, and other debris.