Jeff and Colleen Relyea set up a portion of their collection every year, with cameras from the 1800s and the 20th century

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Those who appreciate photographs can come to the Clark County Fair to see some of the best pictures of the year, taken by professionals and amateurs from our region. 

While there, they can also take a look at a collection of cameras from over the years. Some, in fact, have been around for well more than 100 years.  

Jeff and Colleen Relyea have been hunting antique or otherwise unusual cameras for years now. Garage sales. Estate sales. Searching online.

“We started out collecting whatever we could, anything we could get our hands on,” Jeff said. “We don’t buy expensive, expensive stuff.”

Well, there could be a bit of a disagreement there.

“Your expensive and my expensive are different,” Colleen says with a grin.

Every year at the Clark County Fair, Jeff and Colleen set up a portion of their collection. Cameras from the 1800s are on display, and then many from throughout the 20th century. They bring out about 100 items every year, about a quarter of their personal collection. 

About 15 years ago, they only had a few items. They brought them to the fair, and they turned into quite the conversation starter.

“A light went off,” Jeff said. “Why don’t we get more cameras?”

A passion was born.

“I don’t take photographs,” Jeff acknowledged. “I’m not really a photographer. I just love the old cameras and being able to talk to people about cameras.”

“It’s a blast,” Colleen said.

During the interview, an older woman took a look at the collection. She said she had the same type of camera as one that was on display, a camera that was at least 50 years old.

Colleen loves the stories that go along with the exhibition.

“I’ve heard about uncles who have shot professional photos for National Geographic,” she said. “I hear lots of history.”

Jeff’s sister, Becky Conerly and her husband Darren, are the superintendents of the fair’s photo department. It truly is a family project. 

The antique and unusual camera exhibit — for display purposes only, not for sales — is right in the middle of the photographs that are on display, highlighting the year’s best from Clark County photographers. It is located in the Exhibition Hall of the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. 

While there, fairgoers can also see the best in home and fine arts, crafts, hobbies, and floral displays.