Sam Larsen’s photography of places around Sherman County will be featured at the Sherman County Historical Museum for the month of August. Larsen has been retired since 2006. With some extra time on his hands, he picked up his camera and began exploring Oregon’s rural landscapes. He fell in love with the rural scenes including old farm buildings, especially barns! As time rolls on some of these old buildings no longer exist and many locals are grateful to have them captured in Larsen’s images.

Sam grew up in a small farming community in southern Wisconsin. As a teen, he worked on his grandfather’s farm, baling hay and cultivating corn. After graduating from high school, he studied chemistry, eventually earning a PhD from the University of Texas. In 1979, Sam joined a process development group at Eli Lilly and Co. For Larsen, research often involved spending countless hours with a microscope taking pictures of crystals, analyzing for ideal form and purity.

All photos were taken by Sam Larsen in Sherman County between 2013 and 2022 on private property.  Property access was gained with the permission of the property owners. Larsen is very appreciative and thankful to all those that granted him the opportunity to photograph the beautiful landscape of Sherman County. Larsen is always very aware of his surroundings and practiced fire safety parking and used on-foot access at all property locations. 

Thanks Sam for sharing your artwork with the Sherman County Historical Museum. Please stop by and view this outstanding Featured Artist display now through Labor Day.