Infinite History: Glass Negative Collection Goes Live Online And At The Library

On October 25th, Rhode Island Historical Society Graphic Archivist and Humanities Scholar Jim Damico will host a talk on his research into the glass negative collection at the Providence Public Library. From 6-8pm on Monday night, Damico, who has been working with volunteer members of the Paul Krot Community Darkroom, will discuss the local historical significance of these remarkable images and how they came to be a part of the Special Collections at the PPL.

In December of 2009, volunteer members of the Paul Krot Community Darkroom at AS220 began working with Providence Public Library Special Collections Director Rick Ring to unearth these fragile negatives. By organizing, cataloging and storing these materials in archival storage boxes and envelopes,  preserving the image quality and increasing public awareness to their existence through a public exhibition currently on display at Providence City Hall, generously funded by a grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities.

Approximately 1,200 glass plate negatives have been cataloged and digitally captured create a virtual gallery of these historic artifacts and to make sure they remain in good condition and are available to the public beyond the public exhibitions scheduled this fall.

While the Glass Negative show will be on display at Providence City Hall until the end of October, the entire collection is now available in an online gallery and database created to provide unlimited access to this cache of photographic history.

For more information on the Glass Negative Preservation Project, contact Project Manager Krystal Grow at krystal@as220.org, or 401.831.9327, or visit: The Glass Negative Project.