The image of Appalachia is often distorted and stereotypical. The photographic collections in the Archives help define the nature of life in the region. This guide examines some of the more important sources for researchers seeking to discover a more honest image of Appalachia.

Browse our Suggested Reading List for books of interest.

Manuscripts

Robert Bell Collection
Includes photographs related to lumber operations in the Limestone Cove area of Washington and Unicoi Counties, Tenn.

Henry Blackwell Photographs
Images depict the 1940 flood in Western North Carolina and its effects on the Linville River Railway.

James T. Dowdy, Sr. Photographs
Images relate to three Appalachian railroads: the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, Linville River, and the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio. Scenes depict depots, engines, rail lines, rail crews, etc.

Mr. and Mrs. G. O. Edwards Photographs
Images depict operations of the W. M. Ritter Lumber Co. in Virginia and West Virginia, 1904-46 and undated.

James Garvin Ellis Negatives
Consists of over 7,000 negatives taken by Jimmy Ellis while serving as chief photographer for the Johnson City Press- Chronicle and includes scenes depicting life in the Johnson City, Tenn. area (1958-60) related to a variety of topics and individuals.

James A. Goforth Collection
Includes photographic negatives and prints depicting railway construction and views of rail routes on the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, 1906-15.

Burr Harrison Photographs
Consists of prints and negatives taken or collected by this Johnson City, Tenn. photographer during the first half of the 20th century. Images depict area scenes, individuals, and businesses.

Kyle Huddle Photograph Collection
Consists of photographs depicting industry, churches, and civic leaders of Kingsport, Tenn. in the period 1910-30.

Kelly and Green Company Collection
Consists of prints and negatives made by this Bristol, Va.-based photographic company and depicting Bristol, Tenn.-Va. schools, churches, and businesses (1905-40).

Mildred S. Kozsuch Photograph Collection
Consists of prints gathered by this collector depicting various scenes, individuals, and aspects of life in the Johnson City/Jonesborough, Tenn. area, c. 1860-1940.

Erlene Ledford Photographs
Consists of photographs gathered by this collector depicting individuals, families, landscapes, and other scenes primarily of the East Tennessee region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Clifford A. Maxwell Photographs
Extensive collection of negatives and prints taken and/or collected by this noted Johnson City, Tenn. photographer. Images depict Johnson City and Washington Co., Tenn. individuals, scenes, and structures related to life in the area, c. 1940- 86.

Kenneth Maynard Murray Photographs
Consists of prints of photographs taken by this noted East Tennessee photographer and relate to the land and people of southern Appalachia, including individuals, landscapes, and such subjects as agriculture, coal mining, crafts, music, among others.

Anne Newton Collection
Includes photographs of various Johnson City, Tenn. schools, 1910-39.

Norris Dam Construction Photographs
Photographs depict the early construction work (1933-36) on Norris Dam, the first of the Tennessee Valley Authority dams constructed in the Tennessee River basin.

Pressmen's Home Photograph Collection
Photographs depict the land and buildings of the Pressmen's Home of the International Printing Pressmen and Assistants' Union of North America in Hawkins Co., Tenn, c. 1907-76.

Harry Garner Range, Sr. Papers
Includes photographs depicting Johnson City, Tenn. scenes, civic groups, individuals, and historic structures, as well as photographs of the World War I era.

Jeanne M. Rasmussen Collection
Includes photographs and negatives related to Rasmussen's career as a photographer and writer and reflects her interests in coal mining, life in the Appalachian coal fields, the Buffalo Creek, W. Va. flood of 1972, and images from her Smithsonian-sponsored exhibit, "Appalachian Faces."

Shoun Family Photographs
Includes prints and negatives depicting Shoun family members of Carter and Johnson Counties, Tenn., c. 1880-1910.

Sing Along With Appalachia Collection
Consists of prints and negatives depicting various aspects of life in areas now part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Kenneth C. Spaulding Photographs
Consists of images depicting rural scenes and life in the areas of Rabun Gap, Ga., Ocoee, Tenn., and Newfound Gap, Tenn./N.C.

Charles C. Tiller Photographs
Images depict operations of the W. M. Ritter Lumber Co. in southwest Virginia, 1924-38.

Appalachian Photographic Archive

The Appalachian Photographic Archive has images relating to many topics and individuals connected with southern Appalachia.

University Photographic Archive

The University Photographic Archive of prints, negatives, and slides provides researchers with a rich resource of images relating to the history and development of East Tennessee State University from its opening in 1911.

Suggested Reading from Special Collections

The following is a list of selected titles relating to photography in Appalachia. For a complete listing, consult Sherrod Library Online Catalog.

Fritsch, Albert J. and Warren E. Brunner. Appalachia: a meditation. 1986.

Murray, Kenneth. Down to Earth: People of Appalachia. 1974.

Porter, Eliot. Appalachian Wilderness: the Great Smoky Mountains. 1973.

Smith, Clyde H. Appalachian Mountains. 1980.

Speer, Jean Haskell. The Appalachian Photographs of Earl Palmer. 1990.