WASHINGTON — The Gibbs Library has announced the opening of the photographic exhibit by Washington native, Cheryl Mank-Swift. The exhibit opens on Thursday, Sept. 11, and closes Tuesday, Nov. 4

Cheryl Mank-Swift grew up in Washington, the daughter of Christine and Frank Mank. Her early years were spent in "Chapman's store," which was in the village and was owned by her grandparents, Geneva and Forest Chapman and her uncle, Victor. Growing up in the store and in a small town, Mank-Swift has many fond memories of town folk, old buildings and the town's history.

Mank-Swift has strong interests in genealogy and photography. She has worked on her own genealogy for 40 years, a task that never is complete. As a member and organizing secretary for the Maine chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Regent of Koussinoc Chapter, Augusta, Mank-Swift began documenting the cemeteries of Washington. Each cemetery has been mapped. Each head stone has been photographed to preserve the information on the stone and to allow research on the individual buried there to be done by Mank-Swift.

These records will be stored with the Washington Historical Society for use by future researchers. It was while doing this documentation that Mank-Swift became interested in photography. She has taken many photographs of buildings, people and the scenic beauty of Washington and Maine.

Gibbs Library hours are Monday 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thursday 3 p.m. - 6p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. - 5 p.m..

FMI call 845-2663.