Historical/Biographical Sketch
Processed by
Connie McBirney
June 1982
Pamela Tranfield
October 1997
Revised by Dorothy Nicholson
17 November 2004
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
Manuscript Materials: 5 boxes |
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COLLECTION |
Ca. 1920–1963 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Wilbur D. Peat, Indianapolis, 1962. |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
Negatives may be viewed only with the assistance of Visual Collections staff. |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
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RELATED |
Peat, Wilbur D. Indiana Houses in the Nineteenth Century. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1962 |
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ACCESSION |
1962.1209 |
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NOTES: |
The photographs and negatives in this collection were processed as visual collection P 0345 in 1997. All materials have been reunited in this revised version. |
In 1956, the Indiana Historical Bureau conducted a survey of houses built in Indiana prior to 1860. Hubert Hawkins, director of the Bureau and executive secretary of the Indiana Historical Society, asked Wilbur D. Peat to use the survey results as a basis for a book on Indiana architecture. The book was to be published by the Society with funding obtained from Eli Lilly. Mr. Peat agreed. At that time, he was director of the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, and had also published other works concerning art and architecture in Indiana.
Wilbur David Peat was the director of the John Herron Art Institute from 1929 until his retirement in 1966. Previously, he had been director of the Akron Art Institute. Born 8 November 1898 in Chengtu, China, Peat attended Ohio Wesleyan University, the Cleveland School of Art, the Art Students League of New York, Hanover College, and Indiana Central College. He married Talitha Rasmussen in 1925. The union produced two children: Patricia Mae and David Walter. Peat died in Indianapolis in 1966.
David Walter Peat, the son of Wilbur Peat, graduated from Purdue University, Indianapolis, in 1954 with a baccalaureate in mechanical engineering.
Elsa Strassweg (b. 1908) worked as a librarian in several locations in Indiana, including New Albany, Bluffton, and Evansville. She was a member of the Floyd County Historical Society.
Juliet Peddle and L. V. Moser were architects in Terre Haute and Lafayette, respectively.
Sources:
Hawkins, Hubert H., Indiana Lives:… . Hopkinsville, Kentucky: Historical Record Association, [1967]. General Collection: F525.H39 1967
Hepburn, William Murray. Who’s Who in Indiana. Hopkinsville, Kentucky: Historical Record Association, 1957.
Who Was Who In America. Vol. 5. Chicago: Marquis Who’s Who, 1968.
Who’s Who in the Midwest, 1964-1965. Chicago: Marquis Who’s Who, 1964.
Who’s Who in the Midwest, 1965-1966. Chicago: Marquis Who’s Who, 1965.
“Wilbur D. Peat was Cultural Leader,” Indianapolis News, 15 December 1966, page 19.
This collection contains the results of the 1956 Indiana Historical Bureau survey, Wilbur Peat’s original research materials, and the edited transcripts for his book, Indiana Houses in the Nineteenth Century. When Peat donated his research notes in 1962 they were filed with the records of the Indiana Historical Society. Since the records deal only with the book, the decision was made when processing the collection to continue to store the materials together.
The collection also includes approximately 3,000 black-and-white photographs of homes built in Indiana during the 1800s. Peat compiled the photographs while writing and researching the book. Approximately 100 images from the collection were used to illustrate the book. Wilbur Peat made most of the images, but the collection contains photographs made by the following individuals: Will Ball, Peter Certia, Edward Dunlap, C. A. Dryden, W. Erb Hanson, Sheldon Hine, Frank Hobenburger, Mrs. James T. McManaman, L. V. Moser, Maurice E. Paton, David Peat, Devon Phelps, Juliet Peddle, Elsa Strassweg, Dorsey O. Thomas, Inez Twitchell, and Mrs. Harry Watts.
The materials have been arranged into five series. Series 1 contains the manuscript research materials. They consist of correspondence, the Indiana Historical Bureau survey materials, a list and index of Indiana architects, notes on the illustrations for the book, edited typescripts, the book layout, and survey results with research notes for each county.
The survey results are arranged alphabetically by county and include photographs, newspaper clippings, and brochures concerning various homes. There are floor plans for a few of the buildings. Also included is a list of Indiana architects, 1855–1885, taken from various city directories from that time period, and an index of architects on cards.
The photographs are arranged in four series based on the size, format, and provenance of the photographs. Series 2 contains original 3 x 5 inch black-and-white prints, and corresponding negatives of Indiana homes and structures. Wilbur Peat and other photographers made these items between ca. 1920 and 1962. The buildings are identified on the verso of the photographs with location, year of construction, and ownership history.
Series 3 contains 8 x 10 inch prints made from some of the original negatives in Series 2. Peat or the Indiana Historical Society may have made the photographs when choosing illustrations for the book Indiana Houses in the Nineteenth Century. The photographs in Series 2 and Series 3 are arranged alphabetically by place-names.
Series 4 contains photographs made by individuals and the Indianapolis Star newspaper. The items were originally filed in groups by photographer. Photographers represented in this series are: Will Ball, Peter Certia, Edward Dunlap, David Peat, Juliet Peddle, and the Indianapolis Star newspaper. Other photographs made by David Peat exist in various locations throughout the collection.
Series 5 contains mostly mechanically reproduced postcards made for the Polar Ice Company of Indianapolis by the Sentinel Printing Company of Indianapolis. The images show Polar Ice and Fuel Company delivery wagons at various locations in Indianapolis, ca. 1910.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Correspondence concerning original proposal for book and funding |
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Indiana Historical Bureau: Survey of houses built before 1860, Correspondence 1956 |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Peat Correspondence: Anderson–Greencastle |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Peat Correspondence: Greensburg–Wolcott |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Photographs from Peat Correspondence Folders 3–4: Arba; Brookville; Greencastle; Indianapolis; Williamsport |
Photographs: |
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Peat Correspondence: Postcards alphabetical by city |
Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Indiana Architects, 1855–1899 [From city directories] |
Box 1, Folder 6 |
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Correspondence Concerning Photographs to Accompany Survey Information |
Box 1, Folder 7 |
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Notes on Houses Used in Book (some illustrated) |
Box 1, Folder 8 |
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Captions for plates in book |
Box 1, Folder 9 |
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Correspondence concerning captions |
Box 2, Folder 1 |
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List of photographs sent to R. R. Donnelley & Sons |
Box 2, Folder 2 |
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Edited typescript [1 of 3] |
Box 2, Folder 3 |
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Edited typescript [2 of 3] |
Box 2, Folder 4 |
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Edited typescript [3 of 3] |
Box 2, Folder 5 |
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Layout of book |
Box 2, Folder 6 |
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Correspondence with R. R. Donnelley & Sons |
Box 2, Folder 7 |
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Survey results and research notes: Adams, and Allen counties |
Box 2, Folder 8 |
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Survey results and research notes: Bartholomew County |
Box 2, Folder 9 |
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Survey results and research notes: Carroll County |
Box 2, Folder 10 |
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Survey results and research notes: Cass and Clay counties |
Box 2, Folder 11 |
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Survey results and research notes: Dearborn County |
Box 2, Folder 12 |
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Survey results and research notes: Davies, Delaware, Dubois, and Elkhart counties |
Box 3, Folder 1 |
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Survey results and research notes: Fayette and Floyd counties |
Box 3, Folder 2 |
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Survey results and research notes: Fountain, Franklin, and Fulton counties |
Box 3, Folder 3 |
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Survey results and research notes: Hamilton, Hancock, and Harrison counties |
Box 3, Folder 4 |
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Survey results and research notes: Hendricks County |
Box 3, Folder 5 |
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Survey results and research notes: Henry County |
Box 3, Folder 6 |
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Survey results and research notes: Howard County |
Box 3, Folder 7 |
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Survey results and research notes: Jefferson County |
Box 3, Folder 8 |
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Survey results and research notes: Jefferson County–printed materials |
Box 3, Folder 9 |
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Survey results and research notes: Jennings County |
Box 3, Folder 10 |
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Survey results and research notes: Johnson County |
Box 3, Folder 11 |
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Survey results and research notes: Knox County |
Box 3, Folder 12 |
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Survey results and research notes: LaGrange and Lake counties |
Box 3, Folder 13 |
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Survey results and research
notes: La Porte County |
Box 3, Folder 14 |
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Survey results and research
notes: La Porte County |
Box 3, Folder 15 |
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Survey results and research
notes: La Porte County |
Box 4, Folder 1 |
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Survey results and research notes: Lawrence County |
Box 4, Folder 2 |
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Survey results and research notes: Marion County |
Box 4, Folder 3 |
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Survey results and research notes: Marshall County |
Box 4, Folder 4 |
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Survey results and research notes: Miami County |
Box 4, Folder 5 |
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Survey results and research notes: Monroe, Montgomery and Morgan counties |
Box 4, Folder 6 |
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Survey results and research notes: Ohio County |
Box 4, Folder 7 |
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Survey results and research notes: Parke, Perry, and Porter counties |
Box 4, Folder 8 |
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Survey results and research notes: Posey County |
Box 4, Folder 9 |
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Survey results and research notes: Putnam County |
Box 4, Folder 10 |
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Survey results and research notes: Randolph and Rush counties |
Box 4, Folder 11 |
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Survey results and research notes: Scott and Spencer counties |
Box 4, Folder 12 |
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Survey results and research notes: St. Joseph and Shelby counties |
Box 4, Folder 13 |
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Survey results and research notes: Switzerland County |
Box 4, Folder 14 |
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Survey results and research notes: Tippecanoe and Union counties |
Box 4, Folder 15 |
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Survey results and research notes: Vanderburgh, Vermillion, and Vigo counties |
Box 4, Folder 16 |
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Survey results and research notes: Wabash and Warrick counties |
Box 4, Folder 17 |
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Survey results and research notes: Washington and Warren counties |
Box 4, Folder 18 |
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Survey results and research notes: Wayne County |
Box 4, Folder 19 |
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Survey results and research notes: Wells, White, and Whitley counties |
Box 4, Folder 20 |
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Index cards of Indiana Architects |
Box 5 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Anderson; Angola; Arlington; Attica |
Photographs: |
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Anderson–Attica |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Augusta; Aurora |
Photographs: |
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Augusta–Aurora |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Battleground; Bean Blossom; Bedford; Bentonville; Bloomington; Bono; Boone County; Boston; Brazil; Brimfield; Bristol; Brookville |
Photographs: |
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Battleground–Brookville |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Cambridge City; Cannelton; Centerville; Chesterfield; Clinton; Cloverdale; Columbus |
Photographs: |
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Cambridge City–Columbus |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Connersville; Corydon; Crawfordsville |
Photographs: |
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Connersville–Crawfordsville |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Danville; Delphi; Dublin; Dupont |
Photographs: |
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Danville–Dupont |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Edinburg; Elizabeth; Elletsville; Evansville |
Photographs: |
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Evansville |
Photographs: |
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Edinburg–Evansville |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Fairbanks; Fairfield; Fort Wayne |
Photographs: |
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Fairbanks–Fort Wayne |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Fountain City; Frankfort; Franklin; French Lick |
Photographs: |
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Fountain City–French Lick |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Glenwood; Goshen; Gosport; Greencastle |
Photographs: |
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Glenwood–Greencastle |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Greenfield; Greensburg; Guilford |
Photographs: |
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Greenfield–Guilford |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Hagerstown; Hanover; Harmony; Hartford; Hartford City; Hobart; Howe; Huntington |
Photographs: |
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Hagerstown–Huntington |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Indianapolis: North Alabama Street; Audubon Road; Bellefontaine Street; California and New York Streets; Capitol and Ohio Streets; Central Avenue |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: ; North Alabama–Central Avenue |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Indianapolis: Broadway Avenue; Churchman Avenue (Beech Grove); Clyde Avenue; College Avenue; North Delaware Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: Broadway–North Delaware Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Indianapolis: North Delaware Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: North Delaware Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Indianapolis: North Delaware Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: North Delaware Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 1 |
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Indianapolis: North East Street; Fletcher Avenue; Hillside Avenue; Illinois Street; Lockerbie Street; Luett Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: North East Street–Luett Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Indianapolis: North Meridian Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: North Meridian Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Indianapolis: North Meridian Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: North Meridian Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Indianapolis: Michigan Street; Monument Circle; New Jersey Street; New York Street; Park Avenue |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: Michigan Street–Park Avenue |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Indianapolis: North Pennsylvania Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: North Pennsylvania Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Indianapolis: North Pennsylvania Street |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: North Pennsylvania Street |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Indianapolis: Roena Avenue; St. Joseph Street; State Street; East Tenth Street; West Twenty First Street; University Avenue; West Vermont and California Streets; East Washington Street; North West Street; Woodruff Place |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: Roena Avenue–Woodruff Place |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Indianapolis: Extra Prints of
Demolished Buildings |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis: Extra Prints of
Demolished Buildings |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Jasper; Jeffersonville |
Photographs: |
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Jasper–Jeffersonville |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Kendallville; Kirklin; Knightstown |
Photographs: |
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Kendallville–Knightstown |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Kokomo [Prints by Dorsey O. Thomas, no negatives] |
Photographs: |
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Laconia; Lafayette |
Photographs: |
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Laconia–Lafayette |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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La Porte; Laurel; Lawrenceburg |
Photographs: |
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La Porte–Lawrenceburg |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Lawrenceburg [Photos by Mrs. James T. McManaman, no negatives] |
Photographs: |
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Lebanon; Lewisville; Liberty; Lincastle; Logansport; London |
Photographs: |
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Lebanon–London |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Madison [1 of 2] |
Photographs: |
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Madison [1 of 2] |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Madison [2 of 2] |
Photographs: |
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Madison [2 of 2] |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Marion; Martinsville; Michigan City; Michigantown; Middlefork; Mongo; Mount Auburn; Mount Sterling; Mount Summit |
Photographs: |
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Marion–Mount Summit |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 2 |
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Mt. Vernon; Muncie |
Photographs: |
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Mt. Vernon–Muncie |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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New Albany; Newburgh |
Photographs: |
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New Albany–Newburgh |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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New Albany [Photos by Elsa Strassweg, no negatives] |
Photographs: |
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New Carlisle; New Castle; New Harmony; New Haven; Noblesville; North Vernon |
Photographs: |
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New Carlisle–North Vernon |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Oldenburg |
Photographs: |
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Oldenburg |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Paoli; Patriot; Pennville; Perrysville; Peru |
Photographs: |
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Paoli–Peru |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Plymouth |
Photographs: |
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Plymouth |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Raleigh; Richmond |
Photographs: |
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Raleigh–Richmond |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Rising Sun; Rob Roy; Rochester; Rockport |
Photographs: |
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Rising Sun–Rockport |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Rolling Prairie; Rome; Rossville |
Photographs: |
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Rolling Prairie–Rossville |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Rushville |
Photographs: |
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Rushville |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Saint Paul; Salem; Scipio; Shelburn; Shelbyville; South Bend; South Milford; Spencer; Steuben County |
Photographs: |
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Saint Paul–Steuben County |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Terre Haute; Trafalgar; Tunnelton |
Photographs: |
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Terre Haute–Tunnelton |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Valparaiso; Vernon; Versailles |
Photographs: |
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Valparaiso–Versailles |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Vevay |
Photographs: |
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Vevay |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Vincennes |
Photographs: |
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Vincennes |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Wabash; Warsaw; Washington; Waterloo; Westfield; Williams; Williamsport; Winamac; Wirt; Wolcott |
Photographs: |
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Wabash–Wolcott |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Anderson; Arlington; Attica; Aurora; Battleground; Bentonville; Bloomington |
Photographs: |
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Bloomington: Wylie House |
Photographs: |
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Brazil; Brimfield; Bristol; Brookville; Cambridge City |
Photographs: |
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Centerville; Clinton; Cloverdale; Columbus |
Photographs: |
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Connersville; Corydon; Crawfordsville |
Photographs: |
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Danville; Delphi; Dublin; Dupont; Edinburgh; Ellettsville; Evansville |
Photographs: |
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Fairbanks; Fort Wayne; Fountain City; Franklin; Glenwood; Goshen; Greencastle; Greenfield |
Photographs: |
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Greensburg; Hagerstown; Hanover; Hartford; Howe; Huntington |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis [1 of 2] |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis [2 of 2] |
Photographs: |
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Jeffersonville; Kendallville; Kirklin; Knightstown; Kokomo; Laconia; Lafayette |
Photographs: |
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LaPorte; Lawrenceburg |
Photographs: |
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Liberty; Logansport; Madison |
Photographs: |
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Madison; Marion; Michigan City; Michigantown; Mongo; Muncie; New Albany |
Photographs: |
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Newburgh; New Carlisle; New Castle; New Harmony; New Haven; North Vernon; Pennville; Plymouth; Perrysville; Peru |
Photographs: |
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Raleigh; Richmond; Rising Sun; Rob Roy; Rochester; Rockport; Rolling Prairie; Rossville; Rushville |
Photographs: |
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Scipio; Shelbyville; Spencer; South Bend; Terre Haute; Valparaiso; Vernon |
Photographs: |
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Vevay; Vincennes; Wabash; Warsaw; Washington; Williamsport; Winamac; Wolcott |
Photographs: |
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Will Ball Photographs: Logansport [1 of 2] |
Photographs: |
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Will Ball Photographs: Logansport [2 of 2] |
Photographs: |
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Peter Certia Photographs: Fort Wayne [1 of 4] |
Photographs: |
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Peter Certia Photographs: Fort Wayne [2 of 4] |
Photographs: |
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Peter Certia Photographs: Fort Wayne [3 of 4] |
Photographs: |
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Peter Certia Photographs: Fort Wayne [4 of 4] |
Photographs: |
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Edward Dunlap Photographs: Plymouth |
Color Photographs: |
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Edward Dunlap letter to Wilbur Peat regarding color photographs for project, 30 July 1959 |
Manuscripts: |
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David Gray Photographs: Gosport |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis Star Photographs: Corydon; Madison; Nashville; New Carlisle; Noblesville |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis Star Photographs: Spring Mill State Park |
Photographs: |
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Indianapolis Star Photographs: unidentified locations |
Photographs: |
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David Peat Negatives: unidentified locations |
4 x 5 Black-and-White Acetate Negatives, Box 3 |
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Juliet Peddle Photographs: Madison; unidentified |
Photographs: |
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Juliet Peddle Photographs: Terre Haute |
Photographs: |
|
CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Polar Ice & Fuel Co.’s views
of Indianapolis, n.d. |
Photographs: |
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Polar Ice & Fuel Co.’s views
of Indianapolis, n.d. |
Photographs: |
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Polar Ice & Fuel Co.’s views
of Indianapolis, n.d. |
Photographs: |
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Polar Ice & Fuel Co.’s views
of Indianapolis, n.d. |
Photographs: |
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[Family group]; [Country road] |
Photographs: |
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Indiana University Art Museum postcards; Museum of Indian Heritage |
Photographs: |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, M 0363).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.