Administrative Information
Provenance
- Purchase/Gift from Robert H. McNeill Estate; 2012; (DLC/PP-2013:179).
- Transfer from the Manuscript Division; 2015, 2022; (DLC/PP-2013:179).
Processing History
The Robert H. McNeill Family Collection was processed by Leah Rios, Erin Ebert, Tori Scheppele, and Jennifer Orme in 2023. Finding aid encoded by Leah Rios in 2023.
The collection's LOT titles are devised by Library staff. Folder titles are from creators, and bracketed information was devised by Library staff. LOT 15581 are 15584 are listed alphabetically, not in their physical order. Only select prints have corresponding negatives. When available, original contact sheets are annotated by Library staff with the corresponding negative call number. Viewing copies are available in select folders if negatives are available. Images may also be duplicated across many contact sheets.
Negative series have Library-assigned sequential numbers. For reference access, an original contact sheet or printed reference copy of each safety and glass negative is available in the collection.
Transfers
The Manuscript Division holds 33,000 items identified as part of the Robert H. McNeill family papers, 1839-2008. An inventory of this material is available in their finding aid. Additionally, the Manuscript Division holds 1,000 items identified as part of the William Henry Richards papers, 1856-1946. An inventory of this material is available in their finding aid. More information about the Manuscript Division can be found at the Manuscript Division Homepage and Contact Page.
Related Material
Additional materials with similar subjects covering Washington, D.C. in the early 1900s are described in our Online Catalog and searchable by call number or descriptive words:
- Bain News Service Photograph Collection
- Harris & Ewing Photograph Collection (collection overview available)
- National Photo Company Collection (finding aid available)
Additional materials relating to the work of Robert McNeill are described in our Online Catalog and searchable by call number or descriptive words:
- Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)
Related Material at Other Repositories
While the Library of Congress is a principal repository of the McNeill family collection materials, many other repositories hold materials related to the movement and other portions of their work. A few of these repositories include:
- D.C. History Center: Manuscript material from the "Remembering U Street photograph collection."
- Museum of Modern Art holds 23 photographs chiefly from the "The Negro in Virginia" and "The Bronx Slave Market" series.
- Smithsonian Museum of American Art holds 10 photographs from "The Negro in Virginia" series.
Online Content
To see already digitized images from this collection, search our Online Catalog by call number or descriptive words.
Alternate Formats
Negatives and unmounted transparencies are not served to the public. For reference access, an original contact sheet or printed reference copy of each safety and glass negative is available in the collection. Due to safety regulations, nitrate negatives cannot be served to the public and may not have a corresponding contact sheet or reference copy. An inventory of the nitrate film is available in the Contents List.
| If code begins with: | It is a: |
|---|---|
| LC-MC12 | 5x7" or smaller black and white safety negative |
| LC-MC14 | 8x10" or larger black and white safety negative |
| LC-MC22 | 8x10" or smaller nitrate film negative |
| LC-MC33 | 8x10" or smaller glass negative |
| LC-MC02 | 8x10" or smaller color transparency or negative |
Color slides are served to researchers, and an inventory is available in the Contents List. Color slides are stored offsite, and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Prints and Photographs Reading Room prior to visiting.
| If code begins with: | It is a: |
|---|---|
| LC-MC02 | 35mm or 120 medium format color slide |
Preferred Citation
Researchers citing this collection should include the following information: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Robert H. McNeill Family Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-123456].