WICHITA.- Wichita: The exhibition American Ruins, which opened on June 29th at the Wichita Art Museum, proves you don’t have to leave the country to experience haunting historic sites. This photography exhibition celebrates places within the United States where crumbled walls and weathered stones stand in honor of our American past. Their geographical and historical diversity allow us, as Americans, to see where we came from and understand where we’re headed.

Arthur Drooker has photographed historic sites throughout the United States. Subjects include adobe missions and the remains of elegant mansions. With his unique photographic style called digital infrared, Drooker captures these ruins and preserves them for a moment in time. To be included in Drooker's project, the ruins had to meet certain criteria: they had to be part of a preservation program, they had to have historical value and they had to represent the geographic and architectural diversity of America.

American Ruins features fifty sepia-toned infrared photographs of more than 25 historical sites. A companion hardcover publication is also available on sale in the Museum Store. Drooker and his photos were featured on CBS Sunday, and the book earned a 'Best Book of 2007' award in General Photography from usabooknews.com.