Johnny Vardeman: These handprints on a Gainesville basement wall stay for a reason - Gainesville Times

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Johnny Vardeman: These handprints on a Gainesville basement wall stay for a reason

Jane Swetenburg Howard, who now lives in Atlanta, said her mother started the tradition of having friends and family put their handprints on the home's basement walls. They painted sections of the concrete block wall black. Then when friends came over, they provided washable white paint for them to dip their hands in and press them against the wall. Johnnie Swetenburg then would write the names under the handprints. - photo by Johnny Vardeman

09222019 VARDEMAN 1 — Jane Swetenburg Howard, who now lives in Atlanta, said her mother started the tradition of having friends and family put their handprints on the home's basement walls. They painted sections of the concrete block wall black. Then when friends came over, they provided washable white paint for them to dip their hands in and press them against the wall. Johnnie Swetenburg then would write the names under the handprints. - photo by Johnny Vardeman

When Evie and Buddy Langston moved into their Dixon Drive home in Gainesville in 2005, white handprints covered the walls in their basement.