Earl Palmer Photographic Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: BCA 0073 SAA 073

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This is a collection of large black and white photographic prints taken by Virginia-based photographer Earl Palmer. The content of the photographs are the Appalachian region and its people over a 40-year period.

Dates

created: 1950s-1960s

Creator

Palmer, Earl -- 1905-1996 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on use of this material other than federal copyright regulations. Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Biographical or Historical Information

Earl Palmer (1905-96) was an award-winning photographer whose photographs appeared in many national magazines, including Life, National Geographic, and the Saturday Evening Post. His work has also appeared in many books, including several by Jesse Stuart, and has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation. Palmer took photographs documenting Appalachia over a period of fifty years. His subjects include coal mining, farming, logging, moonshining, classes, artisans at work, and other activities illustrating the work and daily lives of mountain people and their culture.

Note written by

Extent

3.00 boxes_(general)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

The photographs in the collection are organized by subject. Oversized and matted photographs can be found in Box 3. .

Many of the photographs have lengthy descriptions and musing by Palmer on the back which may include names, place names, dates and additional information regarding subjects and living conditions. Additionally, many of the photographs are marked “Earl Palmer “Blue Ridge Mountain’s Roamin’ Cameraman’ Christiansburg, VA” on the back. Many photos in this collection were taken at Berea College