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GUSN-273195
This collection of glass plate negatives is probably from the studio of J. H. Williams, a photographer whose studio was located in South Scituate, Massachusetts. The collection consists of 116 glass plate negatives, most of which appear to be from the 1880s and 1890s. The collection consists of group portraits taken on the beach and cliffs at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts; pictures of various cottages on the cliffs and beach at Nantasket; views of prominent hotels at Nantasket, such as the Atlantic House, Rockland House, and Hotel Pemberton; vistas of Nantasket Beach taken at low and high tides; and studio portraits of men, women, and children.
group portraits
transportation
cottages
costume (mode of fashion)
leisure
beaches
swimming
oceans
seascapes
landscapes (representations)
shores (landforms)
hotels (public accommodations)
negatives (photographic)
116 glass plate negatives
An electronic finding aid is available through Historic New England's Collections Access Portal. A paper finding aid is available in the Library & Archives. An additional item inventory is available in the Library & Archives.
The custodial history of this collection is unknown.
PC059
J. H. Williams collection
PC059
A collection of glass plate negatives probably from the studio of J. H. Williams of South Scituate, Mass.
Library & Archives Purchase
c. 1880s-1890s
Nantasket Beach (Plymouth County, Massachusetts)
Hull (Plymouth County, Massachusetts)
Probably Williams, J. H. (Photographer)
negatives (photographic)
This collection is available for research.
Delicate materials may be restricted due to their condition. The use of a light box (available in the Library & Archives) is required to view the materials in this collection.
Collection
Accruals are not expected.
Materials are entirely in English.
Item identification. Box #. J. H. Williams collection (PC059). Historic New England, Library & Archives.
This collection was processed and the finding aid written by Susan Jarvis with help from Abigail Cramer, 2013.
This finding aid is DACS-compliant.
James H. Williams was a photographer based in West and South Scituate, Massachusetts. He was active as a photographer between 1874 and 1887.
Steele, C. & Polito, R. (1993). Massachusetts photographers, a directory of 1839-1900. Marco Island, FL: Picton Press.
The negatives are arranged in the order in which they were received.
Historic New England is committed to implementing reparative language description for existing collections and creating respectful and inclusive language description for new collections. If you encounter language in Historic England's Collections Access Portal that is harmful or offensive, or you find materials that would benefit from a content warning, please contact [email protected].
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