Meyersdale Public Library - Photographs

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  • Date = 1880-1910

About This Collection

The Meyersdale Public Library photograph collections contain approximately 2,000 photographs. From the total collection, about 320 will be selected for digitization based on the selection criteria. The photographs that will be selected for online display are significant because they provide a broad overview of life immediately before, during, and after the Progressive Era in the Allegheny Mountains region (mostly Somerset Co., PA & northern Maryland). The photographs capture families & individuals both in portraits and in natural settings, military men, coal mines, mills, railroads, transportation, education, and African American families. Our photographs have been used in Somerset Magazine and in the book "Allegheny Passage Companion, Guide to History & Heritage Along the Trail" by Bill Metzger. Accessibility to the collection will be enhanced because the images will be searchable online. Currently the photographs are accessioned on paper but are not included in our library catalog. Digitization would allow users easy & free access to historical photographs that would otherwise essentially be hidden in a closet.
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Calm baby in a wicker seat
Infants
This baby is propped in front of a large flowered pillow in a wicker chair. The baby is wearing a white dress with a gathered lace collar, and is covered with a blanket. Hair is just starting to grow. 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Elderly man with glasses and moustache
Portrait photographs, Men
His rumpled suit jacket was worn with a vest, white shirt, and bowtie. Though his hair is gone, his moustache is still thick and full. He is wearing round wire rimmed glasses. 4 3/4 x 6 in. black and white photograph.
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Happy baby with a big smile
Infants
Sitting in a big chair covered with a flowered tapestry, the baby has a happy smile. The baby's white dress is fringed in lace at the bottom and around the sleeves. The sleeves are capped, and the dress is close around the neck. Very little hair has grown yet. 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Man with sad eyes
Men
A man has a bowler hat set back a bit on his head, and his eyes seem to show sadness. The vest under his open jacket was held together with a clasp, and his bow tie was tattered. 8 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Portrait of young child with puffy sleeves
Portrait photographs, Children
A somber child looks directly at the camera, wearing a white top with rounded collar edged with a ruffle, a checked scarf and long sleeves. 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Smiling ladies
Women, Photographs
Perhaps they are mother and daughter. The older of the ladies is in a dark dress with a white scarf around her neck. She has her hair parted in the middle and pulled back behind her ears. The younger lady's smile shows pleasure. She is wearing a checked dress, full puffed sleeves, and a high neck collar. There is a softer look to her light, curly hair pulled up and back. 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Three girls standing shoulder to shoulder
Portrait photographs, Women
Three girls are standing shoulder to shoulder. The woman on the viewer’s left wears a locket and fastens her high collar with a brooch. She wears a striped dress, and her hair is dark and curly. The middle lady in a jacket with puffed sleeves, and high necked white blouse, seems the oldest. Her collar is secured with a brooch, and she wears a locket. Parting her hair in the middle, she curls the sides back. On the viewer’s right, the girl looks younger than the others, and her hair is parted on her right, and swept back. Puffed sleeves and high collars are the style, as her checked dress is the same. 8 3/8 x 6 in. black and white photograph.
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Woman resting her hand on a water pump
Water pumps, Women
She may be waiting her turn to use a community water pump. There are houses in the background. The skirt of her dark dress is full and ankle length. Checks decorate the cuffs of the puffed sleeves, and the high necked collar. 6 x 7 in. black and white photograph.
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Woman with high collared checkered dress
Portrait photographs, Women
This young lady wore a high necked checkered dress. The pleated front was enhanced by a lace scarf that hung around her neck and down the front of the dress. Her checked dress had long sleeves with puffed caps. She had her bangs cut short, and the rest of her hair was smoothly pulled to the back. 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Woman with large feathery hat
Portrait photographs, Women
Today she wears a dark dress with a white V shaped lace insert. The high neck collar is dark, and a necklace adds an extra touch. Her hair is very thick and is piled high upon her head; she appears to be wearing a hat. 2 3/4 x 3 3/8 in. black and white photograph.
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Young girl with large bow poses next to a chair
Portrait photographs, Children
She stands with her hand resting on a tall wooden chair with carvings. The white knee length dress is belted, and has trim around the bottom. The sleeves stop at the elbow. A necklace decorates her round collar, and she wears dark stockings with high laced shoes. Her hair is parted on her left, sweeps across her forehead, and is fastened in the back with a large white bow. 5 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. black and white photograph.
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Young lady in white dress with high collar
Portrait photographs, Women
For this portrait, she chose a white jacket over a high necked white blouse, and a collar secured with a brooch. A locket is pinned by her left shoulder. Her curly hair is parted on her right. 3 x 3 in. black and white photograph.
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Young man looking sad
Portrait photographs, Men
He has a full head of curly hair, and is dressed in a suit jacket, vest, white shirt, and large bow tie. He does not seem happy. 2 1/8 x 2 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Young man with determined look
Portrait photographs, Men
Looking to his right with his head held high, he has a determined look. He is wearing glasses and has neatly combed, curly hair parted on his left. He chose a striped bow tie to go with his dark suit jacket and white shirt. 2 1/8 x 2 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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Young man with stern look
Portrait photographs, Men
Not smiling, looking straight ahead, the young man wore a very stiff high white collar on his shirt. A striped tie was worn with his white shirt and lighter colored jacket. A bit of curl was in his hair, and he had it parted in the middle. 3 1/8 x 4 1/8 in. black and white photograph.
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Young scholarly man
Portrait photographs, Men
This young man wears glasses and looks solemn. His hair is parted and combed smoothly on the sides. He is wearing a suit jacket, vest, white shirt and tie. 2 1/8 x 2 3/4 in. black and white photograph.
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