Photography

Photographs, which add a new dimension to the historical record, constitute one of the Institute's most valuable resources, numbering more than 50,000 items. Since the Institute's founding, the collecting of visual resources has been an important component of its collecting policy. Particular strengths of the collection include sod houses and pioneer life, all aspects of agriculture, social activities, and views of Fargo and other towns in the state.

Collecting Areas

Documentary photographs Photographic materials are collected in all formats (prints, cellulose negatives, glass plate negatives, postcards, etc.). The Institute attempts to collect a wide selection of photographs documenting North Dakota history and culture, including:

1. noteworthy individuals
2. events of state-wide political, historical or cultural interest
3. certain periods or subjects, such as the Depression, World War II, and the latter half of the twentieth century
4. changing styles in architecture, costume, etc.

Collections of photographs The Institute acquires, on a selective basis, collections in any of the above listed categories which represent a complete, self-contained unit. In most cases these constitute the work of a single individual or are the product of a single institution. The Institute does not collect the body of work of photographers or family collections if portraiture constitutes most of that work. Consideration will be given to such collections, if the Institute is allowed to select those images that strengthen its current collections or fills gaps in its holdings.

Slides and transparencies The Institute endeavors to acquire for its permanent collections only those slides and transparencies which present information of value for reference or research and which are not available in the Institute in another form. Slides and transparencies which are original photographs will be acquired on a selective basis. Written or recorded texts which are issued with slides or transparencies will be retained with them.

Artistic photographs The Institute does not specifically collect photographs that may be considered primarily as works of art, or which are illustrative of a movement, an aesthetic theory, or a particular period of artistic photography. Consideration may be given to such works by North Dakotans.

History of the medium The Institute endeavors to acquire a selection of photographs that illustrate the history and technical advancement of the medium. Such works are collected for use in the archival photography course taught as part of the NDSU History Department's public history program.

Considerations

In determining the acceptability of any photographic materials, consideration will be given to their size, quality, physical condition, and relationship to other materials in the archives. Practical matters such as the organization, housing, and potential use of collections will also be taken into consideration. Other factors include:
Technical and expressive quality
Accompanying identifying data
Negatives keyed to prints
Legal rights, restrictions, conditions, and copyright issues

Framed Material
Occasionally framed photographs and other documents are offered to the Institute or come as part of a manuscript collection. Standard policy is to remove all photographs and documents from frames, if accepted into the collection. Seldom is the framing done to conservation standards. Potential donors are informed about this policy, should they have concerns. The policy was established to remove acidic matting materials and inappropriate frames, which only accelerate the deterioration of the photographs. In most instances, the image and its frame do not have great intrinsic value as a unit.

Exceptions may be made for items for which the frame is an integral part of the image, the item likely would be used in an exhibition using the original frame, or the size and condition of the item warrants storage in the original frame. If the decision is to retain as a unit, the image would be remounted to conservation standards.