Jessie B. Davis photograph collection
Abstract
This collection includes photographs taken mainly by Van Buren Davis circa 1900-1915. Subjects are people and places in Baltimore, Maryland and vicinity, including Druid Hill Park and Zoo, Reservoir Hill, views from Prospect Hill, and the ruins of the 1904 Baltimore Fire, especially at Hoen and Co. Family groups, picnics, and Christmas scenes are included, and rural scenes which are probably in Cecil County, Maryland.
Dates
- 1900-1915
Creator
- Davis, Van Buren, 1874-1952 (Person)
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
Van Buren Davis (1874 or 1875-1952) married Nellie Machen Davis in 1900. Nellie Davis was the daughter of Mary A. (Wells) and Arthur Machen. Van Buren Davis began making photographs prior to his marriage, using a view camera with bellows, black cloth, and glass plates. Mr. Davis printed his own photographs during some periods, but also took the glass plates to a Kodak store in Baltimore to be printed. The Davis family had four children: Grace (b. 1901), Florence, Jessie (b. 1908), and William. Druid Hill Park was a favorite spot for family outings, especially the Arbor.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (1 half Hollinger box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The photographs are arranged by subject with the following headings:
Druid Hill Park.
Baltimore Fire, 1904.
Elks Convention, 1906.
Garrett Park Chapel and Church.
Parades.
Transportation - Railroads and Bridges.
Other subjects - Davis family, farm, unidentified photographs.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Jessie B. Davis, 1980.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of 1 box with 72 photoprints which were originally pasted into an album.
Most of the photographs were taken by Van Buren Davis ca. 1900-1915, with a few photographs beyond those dates through 1946. Subjects are people and places in and around Baltimore, including Druid Hill Park and Zoo, Reservoir Hill, views from Prospect Hill, and the ruins of the 1904 Baltimore Fire (especially at Hoen and Co.). There are scenes of family groups and picnics, Christmas tree and garden and rural scenes (probably Cecil County).
There are pictures of a 1906 Elks Convention, for which buildings in downtown Baltimore were lavishly illuminated with electrical lights, including department stores, City Hall, and the Courthouse.
Other subjects include the Garrett Park Methodist Church, and trains and bridges in the Baltimore vicinity.
The collection includes two pamphlets, one documenting damage caused by the 1904 Baltimore Fire, the other commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Garrett Park Methodist Church.
Creator
- Davis, Van Buren, 1874-1952 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Jessie B. Davis photograph collection
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- Katherine Cowan
- Date
- 1999-07
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2020-01-16: 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