Forty years is a long time…14,600 days to be exact.  That is the span of time between my first trip to Dischord House and my most recent visit.  My return visit had a very cool start to it…The Kevin Salk collection of DC punk photography at Special Collections in Performing Arts in the University of Maryland Library.

The back story is that I was contacted about a year ago by John Davis, the curator of the Collection regarding my photographs of Minor Threat that shot when they played at Dancing Waters in 1982 and The Cathey de Grande in 1983.  He wanted to know if I was interested in donating some of those prints to be part of their permanent collection.  My reply was an instant YES!  I said to myself “holy shit I can’t believe what is happening!”  I was really taken back by this incredible honor.

When we talked, I found out that John was part of the DC Hardcore scene and was the drummer in a band called Q Not U.  Like Ian, he was an encyclopedia on knowledge with regards the all things DC punk.  The next step was “how do I get my stuff to him?”.  I thought to myself “one could send it in the mail and be done with it OR one could fly out and personally deliver it AND visit Dischord House while in DC”.  That was an easy decision. 

Instead of sending Ian a letter, an email would suffice:

Hi Ian,

I hope all is well.  Congratulations on the success of the box set!  Major error on my part to not order one.

I am planning on coming to DC either May 4th-7th or 11th -14th.  I am going to be delivering my photographs and book to the University of Maryland Special Collections in Performing Arts for them to be on permanent collection.

It would be great to catch up while I am there.  I would love to stop by Dischord house.

Please let me know which week would work best for you.

Regards,

Kevin Salk

Being the awesome person that Ian is, he said yes!  I was so excited to be going back to visit Dischord House and spending some quality with the legend, Ian MacKaye!  My “I feel cool” meter was definitely rising.  Now it was getting all the schedules squared away, book my flights, and get on a plane…DC here I come!

I forgot how amazing Washington DC is.  Such a mix of old and new with so much history. Some sightseeing was definitely on the agenda but first things first…The University of Maryland at College Park to drop off my photos and my book “Punk: Photo’s From A Fan’s Perspective” for the Kevin Salk collection of DC punk photography” at Special Collections in Performing Arts in the University of Maryland Libraries.

I gotta say I was a bit nervous on my way over to the university.  It was still mind-blowing to me that I was going to have my own photography collection at a major east coast university.  Definitely not something a fifty seven year old, father of two from Southern California would expect…ever!

The Library was down in the basement of the building and of course I got lost. Once I got there meeting John was awesome.  He is such a cool guy.  I dropped off my photographs, signed a copy of my book, took a few photos, and headed back to DC for some sightseeing.  As I took the metro back, I reflected on this amazing journey and what was in store for me the following day…Dischord House!

To be continued…

My book is excited to be part of The University of Maryland Special Collections in Performing Arts