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Photograph Collections

The Minnesota Historical Society has over 500 Sound and Visual Collections of photographs, film, and music. Many of these collections are comprised entirely of photographs or contain photographic components that can be viewed on the Photo and Art Database. A portion of these collections are highlighted here. The Finding Aids Index also highlights some photograph collections, and provides context for the images.

All of the Sound and Visual Collections are cataloged in our library catalog and available to view in our Reference Library. In addition to these, there are photograph and art resources in the manuscripts and government records collections, also in the MnPALS online catalog.

I.15  Edward D. Mayo photograph collection (selected images), ca.1910-1925.
Attributed to Edward D. Mayo.(39 photographs)

Photographs of Edward D. Mayo and his children, Helen Louise and William D., and grandson, Paul Edward Thayer, their homes at 2015 Elliott Ave. and 2808 Fremont Ave. South, Minneapolis, Minn., views of Minneapolis, unidentified cities, scenic views of trees, wildlife and floral still lifes. Edward D. Mayo was a mechanical engineer with Barnett & Record Co. The photos of building construction and interiors may relate to his work.

I.69  Monroe P. Killy Slide collection, 1946-1976.
Photographed by Monroe P. Killy. (414 slides)

Views of Indians in Minnesota, primarily Ojibwe Indians at Nett Lake, Mille Lacs, Grand Portage, Leech Lake and Itasca Park. Includes individuals, costume, housing, wild ricing, maple sugaring, canoe building and various Indian crafts, including basketry, beadwork and making moccasins. Also views at Prairie Island, including a 1969 powwow, powwows at Shakopee, 1970-1972 and Connor's Fur Post in 1972.

I.158  Philip C. Dittes Collection (selected images), 1904-1973.
Photographed by Philip C. Dittes.

Dittes was a commercial photographer in St. Paul, Minn. The negatives include portraits of St. Paul men and women, views of conventions held in St. Paul, St. Paul businesses and professional associations, fraternal and social organizations. Negatives are arranged alphabetically by client name.

I.198  Reid H. Ray Film Industries collection, ca. 1930-1969.
Compiled by Gordon R. Ray. (181 photographs)

Views of the work of the Reid H. Ray Film Industries Co., St. Paul, Minn. (successor to Ray-Bell Films Inc. ca. 1947-1948). Includes views of employees, film crews on location, studio filming and equipment. Many of the photoprints document work done for "Horizon North" and "Teamwork on the Mesabi," films on the iron ore industry in Minnesota. Many of the photoprints were photographed by Gordon Ray, a photographer, writer and director at the company. The collection also includes photoprints taken by Ray, possibly not related to a company project. The accompanying print materials include proposals, scripts and storyboards for various film projects, essays by Gordon Ray on film techniques and uses, and miscellaneous items relating to the company.

I.278  Store front views, ca. 1881-1885.
(92 photographs)

Mainly store front views, but includes a few hotels and a view of the Rice County Courthouse in Faribault, Minn. Photographed in the Minnesota towns of: Anoka, Mankato, Brainerd, Hastings, Minneapolis, LeSueur, St. Peter, Rochester, Faribault, Owatonna and Winona; and in Hudson and LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

I.303  Mart Collection.
Photographed by Vincent H. Mart. (5697 photographs)

Aerial views from around the state of Minnesota.