Accessing South Carolina Studio Photography Collections

Summary

South Caroliniana Library, the oldest and most widely used special collection with USC Libraries, houses regional research collections. This proposal seeks support for 2 years to catalog important intact collections from three photographic studios in South Carolina. They consist of over 500 linear feet of images and negatives recording events, people, and the built and natural environment in three locations of the state between 1925 and 2010. Because they deal with civic institutions and celebrations, portraits, businesses, religious observances, and individual "rites of passage" of both black and white citizens, they are an important visual resource for understanding the history of SC, the region, and the nation.

Program

Digitizing Hidden Collections

Amount Awarded

$174,863

Year Added

2014

Institution

University of South Carolina -South Caroliniana Library

Contact(s)

  • Ms. Beth Bilderback

Date Range

1925 - 2010

Geographic Scope

The targeted collections are from three towns of different size and in different geographic locations in SC: Columbia, Newberry, and Dillon.

Materials

  • 502 Image