Artists' Excursion Over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad photograph collection
Abstract
This collection contains photographs of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad trains in Cumberland, Elysville, Frederick, Relay, Harpers Ferry, and West Virginia. Also included are group portraits of passengers aboard the train.
Dates
- 1857-1859
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.
Biographical / Historical
“Distinguished artists and literati” were invited to make an excursion by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad train starting from Baltimore to the Ohio River Valley and back. The group assembled on May 31, 1859, began their journey on June 1, and returned to Camden Station, Baltimore, four days later on June 5. The excursion was orchestrated by Maryland Institute Board member William Prescott Smith, an officer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and was sponsored by Harper’s New Monthly Magazine for an article which appeared in June of 1859 (No. CIX, Vol. XIX) by Porte Crayon (David Hunter Strother).
“The company’s guests were to travel at their leisure, stopping at all prominent points of interest long enough to examine the most notable productions of human science and labor; to enjoy the magnificent natural scenery for which the line is so famous; and, if so disposed, to exercise their talents…” – Porte Crayon
Note: It is unclear which photographs were a direct result of the excursion described in the Harper's New Monthly Magazine article. Dates have not been confirmed.
Extent
1.63 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is separated by size: Box 1 consists of approximately 8x10 inch prints and Box 2 consists of all oversized photographs. Box 1 begins with scenes in Maryland and moves on to West Virginia. One photograph is framed and located in framed storage.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collected from several donations, including some originally made to the Peale/Baltimore City Life Museum.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of thirty-seven salted paper prints in two boxes, one oversized. Harpers Ferry and other parts of West Virginia (which, at the time the photographs were taken, was Virginia) make up most of the collection, with other photographs in Cumberland, Elysville, Relay, and Frederick, Maryland. Also included are other unknown locations. Rural landscape scenes and train bridges are prominently featured.
- Title
- Guide to the Artists' Excursion Over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad photograph collection
- Status
- Under Revision
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-02-28: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Mallory Herberger.
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org