About this project
In 1953, George R. Stewart published U.S. 40: Cross Section of the United States, a landmark book about everyday life along the highway. The book contains 114 photographs and 92 interpretive essays. Scholars and writers have cited this work as influential to the study of road as a form of place.
I’ve been revisiting the scenes in this book for the past 35 years and since 2005 I have been documenting the changes that have occurred during the past 60 years. At each scene I have been shooting high resolution digital images, 35mm B&W negatives and chromes, and 360-degree virtual reality images. I am also shooting medium format B&W negatives and chromes using a camera that is an exact clone to the one used by Stewart. My goal is to have these images published in the first complete update to Stewart's original book.
This work is being coordinated with the George Stewart estate.
To date, I have footed the bill for the project. This Kickstarter request is for funding to complete the project and to prepare the materials for publication.
Below are sample photos from Frederick (MD), Marshall (IL), Blue Springs (MO), Grainfield (KS), Kremmling (CO), Skull Creek (CO), Wendover (UT), Golconda (NV) and Emigrant Gap (CA). For more information, go to my Route40.net web site.
FAQ
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10
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$425
pledged of $22,000 goal
0
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on March 12.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
All contributors who contribute $1 or more will be listed as a contributor on Route40.net.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Contributors will receive a personalized handwritten thank-you note from Frank and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
Contributors will choose between a 4” x 6” 40 oval sticker or a Route 40 bumper sticker. Contributors will also receive a personalized handwritten thank-you note from Frank and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Contributors will receive a 4” x 6” 40 oval sticker, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a personalized handwritten thank-you note from Frank and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Contributors will receive a set of postcards with a half dozen of the final photographs from the project. Contributors will also receive a 40 oval sticker, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a personalized handwritten thank-you note from Frank and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Contributors will receive a set of six note cards with a half dozen of the final photographs from the project. Contributors will also receive the set of postcards, a 40 oval sticker, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a personalized handwritten thank-you note from Frank and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net.
Pledge $160 or more Pledge $160 or more
Contributors will receive a heavy duty Hanes tagless Route 40 t-shirt (the shirt includes a pocket and an embroidered Route 40 shield). Contributors will also receive the sets of postcards and note cards, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a 40 oval sticker, a handwritten thank-you note and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
Contributors will receive an autographed DVD-ROM containing all of the final photographs from the George R. Stewart/U.S. 40 Rephotography project. Contributors will also receive a Route 40 tee shirt, sets of note cards and note cards, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a 40 oval sticker, a handwritten thank-you note and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net
Pledge $750 or more Pledge $750 or more
Contributors will choose between a copy of the George R. Stewart biography 'The Life and Truth of George R. Stewart: A Literary Biography of the Author of Earth Abides,' by Donald Scott or 'Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey,' by William Least Heat Moon. Both of these books feature extensive sections on Frank’s work. If requested, Frank will add a thank-you autograph/note to the book. Contributors will also receive an autographed DVD-ROM of the final project photos, a Route 40 tee shirt, the sets of note cards and postcardsa Route 40 bumper sticker, a 40 oval sticker, a handwritten thank-you note and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
Contributors will receive the George Stewart biography and Roads to Quoz listed above. Contributors will also receive an autographed DVD-ROM of the final project photos, a Route 40 tee shirt, the sets of note cards and postcards, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a 40 oval sticker, a handwritten thank-you note and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
Contributors will receive an autographed private edition hardcover book containing all of the final photographs and notes from the George R. Stewart/U.S. 40 Rephotography project. Contributors will also receive the George Stewart biography, Roads to Quoz, an autographed DVD-ROM of the final project photos, a Route 40 tee shirt, the sets of note cards and postcards, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a 40 oval sticker, a handwritten thank-you note and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net
Pledge $7,500 or more Pledge $7,500 or more
Contributors will be able to spend a day with Frank during the US 40 field photography expedition. Frank will coordinate with the contributor the date and location of the day’s activities. Contributors will also receive the private edition book, the George Stewart biography, Roads to Quoz, an autographed DVD-ROM of the final project photos, a Route 40 tee shirt, the sets of note cards and postcards, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a 40 oval sticker, a handwritten thank-you note and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
Contributor will be able to spend two days with Frank during the US 40 field photography expedition. Contributors will also receive the private edition book, the George Stewart biography, Roads to Quoz, an autographed DVD-ROM of the final project photos, a Route 40 tee shirt, the sets of note cards and postcards, a Route 40 bumper sticker, a 40 oval sticker, a handwritten thank-you note and be listed as a contributor on Route40.net
Project By
Connected as Frank Brusca (463 friends)
I discovered George Stewart’s U.S. 40 when I was about ten years old. I found the book mesmerizing and I just couldn’t put it down. The book contained scenes along a highway along which I had lived and spent many a summer road trip. For the past 35 years, I have made numerous trips along Route 40 and whenever I get a chance I visit each of the scenes in Stewart’s book. These trips have been very rewarding. I’ve met people along the highway who are eager to share their stories of living along the highway. In 1996, I began Route40.net, a web site dedicated to the study of the highway. The site has been more popular than I had ever imagined. Currently, it receives about 3 million page hits a year.
My Route 40 studies have been the focus of the local and national press. My work has been written up in USA Today, the Washington Post, Denver Post, Smithsonian magazine and even Delta Airlines’ inflight magazine. In 2008, William Least Heat-Moon (Blue Highways) spotlighted my work and this project in his book Roads to Quoz.
I have been a member of and served on the board of the Ohio National Road Association and the Society for Commercial Archeology.
I currently work at Southern New Hampshire University and live in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
