West Rockport Baptist Church 1

West Rockport Baptist Church 1

Two women make their way up the steps of the Baptist Church in West Rockport, Maine.Kosti Ruohomaa took a series of photographs in two churches, the West Rockport Baptist Church and the Third Baptist Church in Rockport Village for the Unites States Information Agency. Kosti created images of families together, congregations singing, and prayer in Sunday School. Both churches were built in the middle of the 19th century. The Third Baptist Church was built in Rockport Village in 1854, and the West Rockport Baptist Church was built in 1852.Kosti had multiple photo essays published by the United States Information Agency. The USIA also made a documentary film about Kosti himself; "The story portrayed Kosti Ruohomaa as a person of Scandinavian background who had made a successful career in the Unites States."Bonner-Ganter, Deanna. 2016. The Photographer Poet. Down East Books. p. 152Founded in 1953, the USIA created media to inform the world about the United States. "USIA explained and supported American foreign policy and promoted U.S. national interests through a wide range of overseas information programs. The agency also promoted mutual understanding between the United States and other nations by conducting educational and cultural activities.""United States Information Agency." Federal Register. Accessed February 3, 2024. https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-information-agency.