Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the G. Dwoyid Olmstead Photonegatives

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0270
Creators:
Olmstead, G. Dwoyid (Gilbert Dwoyid), 1914-1985
Williams, Sydney Olmstead
Dates:
ca. 1941-1949.
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic feet
2 vertical boxes
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection contains one hundred seventy eight (178) film photonegatives by G. Dwoyid Olmstead in 4 x 5 in. sheet and cut film and 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. (#120) rollfilm sizes; the rollfilm negatives are cut apart into either individual frames or double image strips. Most of the photographs were taken in the early 1940s in the Hill District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and include pictures of the black citizens of the area in scenes of everyday life, children at play, interiors and exteriors of houses, etc. Olmstead told his friends that 'he felt it was important to capture on camera the living conditions of the residents there. There are also pictures of a Labor Day parade by striking members of the Westinghouse U.E.R.M.W.A. union, of the AFL/CIO) and related subjects. Marks on the original envelopes seem to indicate that some pictures in the group were taken in Los Angeles (AL.A.@). Many of the negatives are stained blue, and are identified as "blue" on the Container List. All the negatives seem to be on safety film, with "safety" imprints on the sheet film negatives.
The original negatives are supplemented with a set of "non-vintage" enlargements and contact prints, made primarily by the Smithsonian Office of Printing and Photographic Services.

Arrangement

Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Olmstead was an African-American photographer who worked in the Hill District ghetto area of Pittsburgh, Pa. in the early 1940s. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in March 1914 (he did not include the day in his Rosenwald fellowship application). He was self-taught as a photographer, but later, with the support of Roy Stryker, attended the Art Center School. He received a Rosenwald fellowship in 1946. Olmstead was inspired by Life Magazine photojournalist Gordon Parks. He photographed until the 1960s while working for the Department of Water and Power in Los Angeles. He died August 17, 1985, following a long illness.

Administration

Author
David Haberstich
Alternate Form Available
Contact prints from negatives made by SI/OPPS. Available in the Archives Center.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
This collection was donated by Sydney Olmstead Williams, December 5, 1986.
Processing Information
Collection processed by David Haberstich, 2008

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access
This collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation
G. Dwoyid Olmstead Photonegatives, circa 1941-1949, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

More Information

Other Finding Aids

Other Finding Aids
Inventory available; contact the Archives Center for more information.


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- 1940-1950 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hill District (Pittsburgh, Pa.) -- 1940-1950 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African American photographers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clergy -- Protestant -- 1940-1950 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Strikes and lockouts -- 1940-1950 -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsurgh Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Labor and laboring classes -- 1940-1950 -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Labor Day -- 1940-1950 -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- 1940-1950 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- Black-and-white negatives -- Acetate film -- 1940-1950 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu