Bea Shepard Photograph Collection, bulk 1890-1920

Collection

Identifier: PCA 558

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection primarily contains Case and Draper photograph contact prints created by Bea Shepard. Shepard made the prints from the glass plate negatives while they were in her care.

She later donated the complete Case and Draper negative and print collection to the Alaska Historical Library in the name of her friend William Norton, from whom she had obtained the negatives. (PCA 226).

Also included are notebooks Ms. Shepard wrote which include indexes of the photograph printing work she did.

The majority of the photographs correspond to prints in the William R. Norton Photograph Collection (PCA 226). The subjects cover Southeast Alaska, with a focus on Skagway’s Soapy Smith, Juneau, Treadwell, Mining, Fishing, and 4th of July celebrations.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1890-1920

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Request for permission to publish or reproduce material from the collection should be discussed with the Librarian.

Biographical

Bea Shepard arrived in Alaska in 1946. She became very involved in the local Methodist churches while working for the Territorial Department of Health, and took up photography as a hobby. Work for the health department had her traveling while she took part in the research for the book, Wild, Edible and Poisonous Plants of Alaska. She also published essays about the Vitamin C content of Alaskan fruits and berries. Later she again traveled all over Alaska in her role as chairman of advocacy on the board of the Friends of the Alaska State Museum. In 1986 she included her photography in publishing the book, Have Gospel Tent Will Travel: the Methodist Church in Alaska since 1886. Shepard’s love of capturing her travels and scientific research with the camera corresponds to her interest in Case and Draper’s photographs.

Extent

4 boxes : Oversize folder ; black and white photograph prints, digital prints, notebooks, index

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated by Bea Shepard in February 2013. Acc. # 2013-016.

Processing Information

This collection has been described at the item level. Photographs placed in Mylar, and all items placed into pH-neutral folders. Photographs have been noted as corresponding to the William R. Norton Photograph Collection (PCA 226).

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding aid for the Bea Shepard Photograph Collection, bulk 1890-1920
Status: In Progress
Author: Processed by: Sara Bornstein, April 2013 ; ArchivesSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston
Date: 2019 June
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English