Content Description

Approximately ten thousand (10,000) glass plate negative photographs created primarily by photographers N. H. Reed and I. N. Cook, two of the most prolific commercial photographers in Santa Barbara during that period. Acquired when Elizabeth Mason was curator of the Museum's materials, the glass plates were initially stored in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse tower. Then, in 1953, Keith's father, the late W. Edwin Gledhill, decided as curator, to take the plates to his home, Glendessary, for safer keeping. The Santa Barbara Historical Museum acquired this collection from W. Edwin and Andriette Gledhill after the couple was forced to move the glass plates due to an approaching wildfire, likely the 1964 Coyote Fire. In 1977, about half of the plates were brought to the Museum, where Keith selected some to be printed and made available to Gledhill Library researchers. Filed by subject, the camera work was done by staff photographer, Bill Dewey, whose salary and supplies were made possible by a grant from the Doris Fay Palmer Trust Fund, administered by Security Pacific Bank. The unprinted plates are also filed by subject. In June 1978, SBHM Director Keith Gledhill reported he was halfway through his organization of the glass photographic plates.

Acquisition Type

Donation

Provenance

Gift of W. Edwin and Andriette B. Gledhill

Restrictions Apply

No