Photographs provide historians with a window in time. A visual snapshot of one moment, captured forever. These primary sources are an invaluable asset to any museum archive.
Currently on display in the Robert E. Nail, Jr. Archives gallery is an exhibit featuring photographs and tintypes, titled, “Faces of Fort Griffin”. This visual representation showcases many aspects of life during the late 1800s on the Texas frontier, specifically at Fort Griffin between the years 1867 to 1879.
Too often, spectacular photographs documenting our past history come to us with very little information attached to them. This is when historians and archivists must closely investigate the image for details to make educated inferences of the object and it’s subject.
Often, we seek answers to a set list of questions including:
What kind of photograph is it? (portrait, action, posed, candid, etc.)
What historical context might be reflected in the environment surrounding the subject?
What information can be collected from any figures shown (such as social, chronological or lifestyle indicators found in clothing, hairstyles, poses, etc.)
For an example of this process, the photograph on the left was acquired by our archives with only the information that it reflects two, unidentified cowboys at Fort Griffin.
Other than being able to place it chrononolically due to the dates of Fort activity, we don’t have much else to identify the figures reflected. However, we do know that Fort Griffin was a stopping point for cattle drives heading north. Therefore, a historian could infer that these two young cowboys were not locals of West Texas. They likely found themselves at Fort Griffin on a drive from the north, and decided to have a formal portrait made. Notice the way the clothing and shoes are relatively clean, and the fact that they chose to pose in full gear (gun belt on the cowboy on the left).
Through historical context, we can also make inferences of the socio-economic status of these men. Cowboys at this time were relatively poor and uneducated, and experienced a challenging, tiring quality of life.
The cowboys in this image were not “dudes,” (dressed in a fancy, costumed manner) but rather in a way that was affordable and functional. (Notice the one on the right is wearing a derby type hat, instead of a traditional cowboy hat.)
Currently, the OJAC archives holds over 3,000 photographs, negatives, and slides in its collection. Many (like the image above) ripe for investigation with little information provided outright- and each with its own story to tell!
Jewellee Kuenstler, THC&P Coordinator