Diary of Abandonment
Documenting historic homes, cemeteries, and the stories that connect us to our past.
Diary of Abandonment
A visual journal of forgotten America, preserving its places, people, and the connections between them.
About the Artist
Laura Stotts is the creator of Diary of Abandonment, a project dedicated to documenting historic homes, cemeteries, and the overlooked places that hold America’s past.
Through her work, she connects these spaces to the lives and stories behind them, encouraging others to preserve their own family history before it’s lost.
As Seen in:
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Diary of Abandonment: Dilapidated Houses & a Divine Calling
An in-depth interview centered on the deeper meaning behind the work, where photography and family history intersect with personal experiences of trauma, addition, and healing
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Photographer discovers letter from World War II sent to Lincolnton
North Carolina photographer and preservationist Laura Stotts discovered a hidden 1944 WWII letter while exploring and documenting an abandoned farmhouse in the Lincolnton area. Her work photographing decaying rural homes often leads to uncovering personal histories—like family letters and artifacts—and connecting them back to descendants or the community. This find highlighted her mission to preserve forgotten stories from North Carolina's past through documentary photography and historical research.
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North Carolina content creator loses followers and money after Facebook page gets hacked in a scam
North Carolina content creator and volunteer archivist Laura Stotts shared her story with WBTV after losing control of her long-time Facebook business page, "Diary of Abandonment" (218,000 followers), to a scammer posing as a social media influencer. The fraudster contacted her via email about a supposed Facebook Live collaboration…
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WW II veteran discovers possible connection with Charlotte Tuskegee Airman
Volunteer archivist and veterans' advocate Laura Stotts, who helps preserve WWII veteran Andrew Pendleton's stories and documents, discovered a striking connection after the 2023 identification of Tuskegee Airman 2nd Lt. Fred Brewer Jr.'s remains. Matching Pendleton's mission logs to Brewer's last flight, she found both men were likely in the skies over Germany on October 29, 1944—targeting the same oil refinery—with Brewer escorting Pendleton's bomber group. Stotts shared the find with Queen City News, highlighting the Tuskegee Airmen's protective role and adding poignancy to Brewer's burial.
Scope of Work
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![Historic farmhouse in a field with a setting sun, and daffodils in the foreground]()
Photography
Documenting old homes, farmsteads, log cabins, and historic sites across rural America, preserving architectural details, craftsmanship, and the character of places connected to family history.
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![an aold photo album open, showing six black and white photos of unknown people.]()
Genealogy
Focused on genealogy and historical research, exploring family histories and the lasting connections between people, place, and memory, and how those connections shape what remains today.
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![An old headstone partially buried in the grass, dating 1863 - 1898]()
Preservation
Dedicated to cemetery preservation and headstone care, with hands-on work focused on cleaning, restoration, and photographing markers to update online records with accurate, current images.
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![a box of keepsakes lying on the dusty floor of an old house, that include a worn bag of jacks, an old photo of a sailer, small bottles of medicine, and some sea shells]()
Storytelling
Sharing stories and connections through written and visual narratives, weaving together genealogical research, history, and lived experience to provide context beyond the photos.
Socials
