Heritage Seeds: Preserving a Scholar-Photographer's Legacy Slides in a Digital Environment

Abstract

As thousands of Baby Boomer-era faculty members near retirement, many who have taught in disciplines such as art history and visual studies are considering what to do with their 35mm slide collections. This case study of a two-year collaboration between an art and architectural history professor and a visual resources curator outlines some of the choices to be made, and potential problems to avoid, in deciding whether to accept the donation of a faculty slide collection. It underscores the crucial importance of the scholar's willingness to provide cataloging information, and, if possible, to participate directly in the cataloging process.

Acknowledgements:

Dr. Philip Larson has recently retired after 37 years teaching art and architectural history at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, before which he was a curator at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. He holds his doctorate in Art History from Columbia University. He also maintains an active studio practice, executing commissioned designs and architectural décor in a wide range of media for public and private buildings throughout the Midwest.