SHAWVILLE’S HISTORY SHINES THROUGH GLASS NEGATIVES
Published in the Pontiac Journal on March 12, 2025.
The Pontiac Historical Society and Museum unveiled a collection of glass negatives from Harry Imison’s photography studio, which operated in Shawville from about 1890 to 1930. The event, held at the Pontiac Archives on Wednesday, February 26, drew a full house eager to view the slide show showcasing these preserved images.
Museum Director Robert Wills, along with several summer students and secretary-treasurer Chris Seifried, played key roles in the project. Wills explained the fortunate circumstances that brought these rare items to the museum and described the delicate process involved in developing the images.
Audience members expressed their appreciation for the remarkable detail captured in the slides, especially considering the effort required to operate the 45-pound camera. Subjects had to hold their poses for up to three minutes, demonstrating the patience and steadiness involved in early photography.
The photographs provided a glimpse into the fashion and social norms of the time. Women were often seen standing while men sat in chairs, possibly due to the stiffness of women’s corsets or the desire to display their elaborate dresses. Seated subjects could also use a head clamp to stay still during the lengthy exposure.
Studio sessions were expensive, costing several weeks’ wages, so many of the images featured family groups or special occasions. The negatives shown were just a sample of the collection, with many more yet to be unveiled and possibly identified through the efforts of local history enthusiasts. – Cathy Fox
Photo – Pontiac Historical Society and Museum Director Robert Wills gives a presentation on the glass negatives of Harry Imison at the Pontiac Archives, Feb. 26. (CF)
