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Diary of Abandonment

@thequeenofrust • 46,293 subscribers

A visual journal of forgotten America.

Shorts

Somebody toss me some bread and water. I’m going to be here a minute

Somebody toss me some bread and water. I’m going to be here a minute

124,903 Aufrufe

Kirwin Ghost Town Wyoming📍

Kirwin Ghost Town Wyoming📍

65,495 Aufrufe

Revolutionary War Patriot headstones get the special treatment. 🇺🇸

Revolutionary War Patriot headstones get the special treatment. 🇺🇸

482,188 Aufrufe

You’d never know how many American towns are barely hanging on unless you go see it for yourself. My husband and I have traveled cross country six times in the past two years, and I can tell you from firsthand experience, our country and our history is in trouble!

You’d never know how many American towns are barely hanging on unless you go see it for yourself. My husband and I have traveled cross country six times in the past two years, and I can tell you from firsthand experience, our country and our history is in trouble!

41,485 Aufrufe

Signing off for the night…sleep well!

Signing off for the night…sleep well!

31,790 Aufrufe

I’m a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe so I made some ravens in my next series of ornaments.

I’m a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe so I made some ravens in my next series of ornaments.

20,309 Aufrufe

Buffalo Bill is part of my family tree, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve carried a special pride in that connection. I even wrote a report about him in the fourth grade (I still have it). Being here in Cody, Wyoming, walking where his story is still remembered and learning more about his remarkable life feels like a bucket-list moment come true. Buffalo Bill Center of the West Cody, Wyoming📍

Buffalo Bill is part of my family tree, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve carried a special pride in that connection. I even wrote a report about him in the fourth grade (I still have it). Being here in Cody, Wyoming, walking where his story is still remembered and learning more about his remarkable life feels like a bucket-list moment come true. Buffalo Bill Center of the West Cody, Wyoming📍

23,264 Aufrufe

✨ When we bought our home, built in 1948, the stairwell leading down to the basement already had shelving installed. I like to imagine a grandmother lived here before me, filling those shelves with jars of canned goods, just as I do now. I recently decorated this cozy little space, and it brings me joy every time I head down to the basement.

✨ When we bought our home, built in 1948, the stairwell leading down to the basement already had shelving installed. I like to imagine a grandmother lived here before me, filling those shelves with jars of canned goods, just as I do now. I recently decorated this cozy little space, and it brings me joy every time I head down to the basement.

77,976 Aufrufe

F35s circling overhead got me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, Utah

F35s circling overhead got me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, Utah

18,940 Aufrufe

✨ I never travel alone, especially when I’m alone. 2A everyday.

✨ I never travel alone, especially when I’m alone. 2A everyday.

40,463 Aufrufe

I’ve been pressure washing everything I could get my hands on today. The driveway, sidewalk, fence, rock wall, even the house. By the time I finished, I looked like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, but with 90s tan lines. 😆 And somehow, rinsing the dirt off my legs with a water hose in the backyard still feels exactly like summer did when I was a kid.

I’ve been pressure washing everything I could get my hands on today. The driveway, sidewalk, fence, rock wall, even the house. By the time I finished, I looked like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, but with 90s tan lines. 😆 And somehow, rinsing the dirt off my legs with a water hose in the backyard still feels exactly like summer did when I was a kid.

17,651 Aufrufe

In 1800, a two-story log cabin was built in a part of Virginia still known as “The Wilderness.” The upstairs once served as a small school. Siding, porches, and paint were added later as the home evolved, but the massive, hand-hewn beams remain, visible in the stairwell leading up to the attic.

In 1800, a two-story log cabin was built in a part of Virginia still known as “The Wilderness.” The upstairs once served as a small school. Siding, porches, and paint were added later as the home evolved, but the massive, hand-hewn beams remain, visible in the stairwell leading up to the attic.

33,227 Aufrufe

I recently attended the grave marking for Revolutionary War Patriot John Rockett , placed by my chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I had the honor of cleaning his headstone just before the ceremony. It was so neat to see the fife and drums Because the exact year of his birth isn’t firm (born April 16, 1761/1764 in Virginia), it’s not known how old he was when he volunteered to enlist in the American Revolutionary War in early 1778. He gave just under four years of service in defense of our independence.

I recently attended the grave marking for Revolutionary War Patriot John Rockett , placed by my chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I had the honor of cleaning his headstone just before the ceremony. It was so neat to see the fife and drums Because the exact year of his birth isn’t firm (born April 16, 1761/1764 in Virginia), it’s not known how old he was when he volunteered to enlist in the American Revolutionary War in early 1778. He gave just under four years of service in defense of our independence.

35,648 Aufrufe

🌛I’m working toward my goal of my grandkids thinking I have the most magical house in all the land. Today I added trees to the room they sleep in and bought a projector that makes nighttime feel like camping. When the lights go down, it feels like sleeping under the stars.

🌛I’m working toward my goal of my grandkids thinking I have the most magical house in all the land. Today I added trees to the room they sleep in and bought a projector that makes nighttime feel like camping. When the lights go down, it feels like sleeping under the stars.

32,155 Aufrufe

Change isn’t hard. You just have to get involved. When I found out a veteran wasn’t allowed to fly an American flag on his property due to HOA rules, I joined the board and changed it.

Change isn’t hard. You just have to get involved. When I found out a veteran wasn’t allowed to fly an American flag on his property due to HOA rules, I joined the board and changed it.

28,831 Aufrufe

🎻I couldn’t love my roots more. Every August, the hills around Galax, Virginia come alive for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention — a tradition that’s been carrying the sound of Appalachia since 1935. I go with my mom, to the same patch of ground her family once called home. Every time, it feels like we’re stepping right back into our family history.

🎻I couldn’t love my roots more. Every August, the hills around Galax, Virginia come alive for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention — a tradition that’s been carrying the sound of Appalachia since 1935. I go with my mom, to the same patch of ground her family once called home. Every time, it feels like we’re stepping right back into our family history.

36,933 Aufrufe

Concerned Citizen I was on the road all night last night and never saw Venus get much closer to the moon than this (this was in Nebraska). I did happen to catch a trail of Starlink in the sky at the same time, which is always neat to see.

Concerned Citizen I was on the road all night last night and never saw Venus get much closer to the moon than this (this was in Nebraska). I did happen to catch a trail of Starlink in the sky at the same time, which is always neat to see.

53,669 Aufrufe

Listen to these bellowing beauties. 🥰 I spotted this home in Grayson County, Virginia. First settled in 1800, when the area was known only as The Wilderness.

Listen to these bellowing beauties. 🥰 I spotted this home in Grayson County, Virginia. First settled in 1800, when the area was known only as The Wilderness.

22,563 Aufrufe

Would you choose to let go of this home if it sat on your land? Or would you do everything you could to save her? For most of us, the expense alone would be too great. Not because we don’t care, but because preservation often asks more than we can give. North Carolina📍

Would you choose to let go of this home if it sat on your land? Or would you do everything you could to save her? For most of us, the expense alone would be too great. Not because we don’t care, but because preservation often asks more than we can give. North Carolina📍

16,558 Aufrufe

These stones are often the last physical record of a life lived. Names, dates, symbols, and stories that may not exist anywhere else. When a marker falls or erodes beyond reading, a piece of history goes with it. Preserving cemeteries means choosing remembrance, respect, and care for the people who came before us. Catawba County, North Carolina📍

These stones are often the last physical record of a life lived. Names, dates, symbols, and stories that may not exist anywhere else. When a marker falls or erodes beyond reading, a piece of history goes with it. Preserving cemeteries means choosing remembrance, respect, and care for the people who came before us. Catawba County, North Carolina📍

19,171 Aufrufe

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Reposting because it took me over an hour to create. The music even synced perfectly with my footsteps at the end, and I refuse to let that level of accidental cinematic brilliance go to waste. So do me a favor 👉🏻 watch it, and if you enjoy it, hit share so I can feel better about the time I invested. 😆

Reposting because it took me over an hour to create. The music even synced perfectly with my footsteps at the end, and I refuse to let that level of accidental cinematic brilliance go to waste. So do me a favor 👉🏻 watch it, and if you enjoy it, hit share so I can feel better about the time I invested. 😆

Diary of Abandonment

13,369 Aufrufe • vor 22 Stunden

Butte, Montana is so beautiful and rich with history, but there’s SO many abandoned buildings and quiet streets.

Butte, Montana is so beautiful and rich with history, but there’s SO many abandoned buildings and quiet streets.

Diary of Abandonment

150,225 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

I went to my father-in-law’s house tonight and watched VHS tapes from our high school prom. I’m the blonde, on the right. A group of us from church went together as friends, and one of them would later become my hubbs. 1994 feels like a lifetime ago with how much the world has changed since then.

I went to my father-in-law’s house tonight and watched VHS tapes from our high school prom. I’m the blonde, on the right. A group of us from church went together as friends, and one of them would later become my hubbs. 1994 feels like a lifetime ago with how much the world has changed since then.

Diary of Abandonment

587,083 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

I’m helping my uncle stain his deck today. And as much fun as no one thinks staining a deck is, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.

I’m helping my uncle stain his deck today. And as much fun as no one thinks staining a deck is, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.

Diary of Abandonment

75,746 Aufrufe • vor 28 Tagen

In the middle of a South Dakota cornfield stands a church built in 1883 to serve the area’s growing Czech and Bohemian community. I don’t know how long it’s stood empty, but l was grateful to find it untouched. No graffiti. No broken windows. Just some happy little birds singing praises in an empty chapel. South Dakota📍

In the middle of a South Dakota cornfield stands a church built in 1883 to serve the area’s growing Czech and Bohemian community. I don’t know how long it’s stood empty, but l was grateful to find it untouched. No graffiti. No broken windows. Just some happy little birds singing praises in an empty chapel. South Dakota📍

Diary of Abandonment

33,892 Aufrufe • vor 12 Tagen

Got a handful of negative comments on this one, so I edited it to please the Karens. 😆 They wanted to make sure I knew stacked stones are illegal (we didn’t stack them) and that I should be wearing sunscreen, completely missing the point of the video. Which version do you like better?

Got a handful of negative comments on this one, so I edited it to please the Karens. 😆 They wanted to make sure I knew stacked stones are illegal (we didn’t stack them) and that I should be wearing sunscreen, completely missing the point of the video. Which version do you like better?

Diary of Abandonment

87,710 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Hi, I’m Laura. Photographer behind Diary of Abandonment, artist behind the scenes, and headstone preservationist by way of a side gig. I spend my time exploring forgotten places, celebrating American history, and preserving the stories of people who came before us.

Hi, I’m Laura. Photographer behind Diary of Abandonment, artist behind the scenes, and headstone preservationist by way of a side gig. I spend my time exploring forgotten places, celebrating American history, and preserving the stories of people who came before us.

Diary of Abandonment

19,125 Aufrufe • vor 9 Tagen

🐝 On top of the wasp nests hanging from light sockets and in the corners of the ceilings, I didn’t realize until later that there was a massive feral honeybee hive inside the walls of the upstairs bedroom. That explained all the buzzing. I was hoping for a few fun treasures in the attic, but it was clean as a whistle. The same day this video was shot, I also filmed an interview with WBTV News on the front porch of this house. The abandonment made the perfect backdrop.

🐝 On top of the wasp nests hanging from light sockets and in the corners of the ceilings, I didn’t realize until later that there was a massive feral honeybee hive inside the walls of the upstairs bedroom. That explained all the buzzing. I was hoping for a few fun treasures in the attic, but it was clean as a whistle. The same day this video was shot, I also filmed an interview with WBTV News on the front porch of this house. The abandonment made the perfect backdrop.

Diary of Abandonment

282,803 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

I need your help convincing my daughter to open an Etsy shop. Putting your art out into the world is scary. Wondering if anyone will actually buy it can be paralyzing. She’s gifted, but like so many creatives, she second-guesses herself. If you’ve ever sold your art, handmade items, or started a small business, would you leave her a few words of encouragement? I’d love for her to see this comment section and realize there are people rooting for her. 🥰🥰🥰

I need your help convincing my daughter to open an Etsy shop. Putting your art out into the world is scary. Wondering if anyone will actually buy it can be paralyzing. She’s gifted, but like so many creatives, she second-guesses herself. If you’ve ever sold your art, handmade items, or started a small business, would you leave her a few words of encouragement? I’d love for her to see this comment section and realize there are people rooting for her. 🥰🥰🥰

Diary of Abandonment

15,865 Aufrufe • vor 8 Tagen

On my way to clean the headstone of a Revolutionary War soldier, in preparation of him receiving his official plaque from the Daughters of the American Revolution. 🇺🇸 Preserving history is my favorite endeavor. ❤️

On my way to clean the headstone of a Revolutionary War soldier, in preparation of him receiving his official plaque from the Daughters of the American Revolution. 🇺🇸 Preserving history is my favorite endeavor. ❤️

Diary of Abandonment

271,979 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

🎶 What’s one song that takes you right back to childhood? John Denver was a staple in our home growing up. I always thought he was so handsome. My mom owned every album he ever recorded, and I remember sitting with those records in my lap, just looking at the cover while the music played.

🎶 What’s one song that takes you right back to childhood? John Denver was a staple in our home growing up. I always thought he was so handsome. My mom owned every album he ever recorded, and I remember sitting with those records in my lap, just looking at the cover while the music played.

Diary of Abandonment

26,732 Aufrufe • vor 24 Tagen

I tucked a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree into the corner of my kitchen. I used an old metal mop bucket—already filled with soil and a plant—as the base, then added a few simple touches: lights, berries, and snowflakes from Hobby Lobby (maybe $15 or so total). The finishing detail was a bird’s nest I once found in an abandoned house. What do you think?

I tucked a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree into the corner of my kitchen. I used an old metal mop bucket—already filled with soil and a plant—as the base, then added a few simple touches: lights, berries, and snowflakes from Hobby Lobby (maybe $15 or so total). The finishing detail was a bird’s nest I once found in an abandoned house. What do you think?

Diary of Abandonment

99,237 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Did you ever dream of traveling Route 66 and seeing all the iconic roadstops? Same. But somewhere along the way, we let it die. Now it’s nothing more than shells, dust, and spray painted ghosts.

Did you ever dream of traveling Route 66 and seeing all the iconic roadstops? Same. But somewhere along the way, we let it die. Now it’s nothing more than shells, dust, and spray painted ghosts.

Diary of Abandonment

37,924 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

After a month of renovations, split fingertips, paint-covered clothes, and enough caulk to seal a small city, our home is finally ready to sell. My reward? A fresh manicure and pedicure so I can go back to being a lady instead of Wreck-It Ralph. 😆 Thanks to everyone who joined me on the live today for the home tour! 😘

After a month of renovations, split fingertips, paint-covered clothes, and enough caulk to seal a small city, our home is finally ready to sell. My reward? A fresh manicure and pedicure so I can go back to being a lady instead of Wreck-It Ralph. 😆 Thanks to everyone who joined me on the live today for the home tour! 😘

Diary of Abandonment

21,401 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

I bought an outfit for a 250th event I’ll attend later this year. The video would’ve been way too long to show the dress and putting the boots on, so I had to break it up. I cannot begin to describe to you how fabulous these shoes by American Duchess are! I’ll post the dress next.

I bought an outfit for a 250th event I’ll attend later this year. The video would’ve been way too long to show the dress and putting the boots on, so I had to break it up. I cannot begin to describe to you how fabulous these shoes by American Duchess are! I’ll post the dress next.

Diary of Abandonment

41,185 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

No better place to catch a sunset than in a cemetery on top of a hill in a ghost town. First time exploring in Montana and it. is. amazing. 🤩

No better place to catch a sunset than in a cemetery on top of a hill in a ghost town. First time exploring in Montana and it. is. amazing. 🤩

Diary of Abandonment

15,558 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

While participating as a reenactor in the 161st Anniversary of the Battle of Wyse Fork in Kinston, NC, I was given permission to step off the trail for a closer look and to point out trenches still visible in the woods. These are known as earthworks, the standard term for Civil War field fortifications. Soldiers built them by digging directly into the soil to form embankments, parapets, breastworks, and trench lines. During the battle, Confederate forces along Southwest Creek were described as holding entrenched lines and earthworks, and here at Wyse Fork you can still see the surviving mounds, ridges, and shallow depressions in the forest floor. They’re the remains of defenses dug by hand more than 160 years ago. Organizations like the Wyse Fork Battlefield Commission and the American Battlefield Trust work to preserve these fragile pieces of history, including miles of Confederate trenches and some hastily built Union ones. Standing among them, you’re looking at the actual ground soldiers shaped during the fight. Grateful for the chance to see them up close and help share their story. 🇺🇸

While participating as a reenactor in the 161st Anniversary of the Battle of Wyse Fork in Kinston, NC, I was given permission to step off the trail for a closer look and to point out trenches still visible in the woods. These are known as earthworks, the standard term for Civil War field fortifications. Soldiers built them by digging directly into the soil to form embankments, parapets, breastworks, and trench lines. During the battle, Confederate forces along Southwest Creek were described as holding entrenched lines and earthworks, and here at Wyse Fork you can still see the surviving mounds, ridges, and shallow depressions in the forest floor. They’re the remains of defenses dug by hand more than 160 years ago. Organizations like the Wyse Fork Battlefield Commission and the American Battlefield Trust work to preserve these fragile pieces of history, including miles of Confederate trenches and some hastily built Union ones. Standing among them, you’re looking at the actual ground soldiers shaped during the fight. Grateful for the chance to see them up close and help share their story. 🇺🇸

Diary of Abandonment

41,431 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

It’s me, not Ai. Here’s a Proof of Life video, taken the same day as the photo below. I was excited about my outfit. 🙃

It’s me, not Ai. Here’s a Proof of Life video, taken the same day as the photo below. I was excited about my outfit. 🙃

Diary of Abandonment

59,623 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

I grew up with a mom who made all of our Christmas gifts, and I learned to do the same. My grandkids love playing in the woods, which made proper walking sticks feel necessary. I made them up as I went, using art supplies I had on hand.

I grew up with a mom who made all of our Christmas gifts, and I learned to do the same. My grandkids love playing in the woods, which made proper walking sticks feel necessary. I made them up as I went, using art supplies I had on hand.

Diary of Abandonment

54,376 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten