Kickstarter

Our names are Ann and Joe Burkart located in Florida.  We are very passionate about finding preserving and publishing unknown or little known photographers from the 1880s to the 1930s.  Some of these photographers were very talented and their images need to be preserved.  These early photographers may not have been the Brady’s, O’Sullivan’s or Anthony’s, but their courageous efforts using dangerous chemicals helped capture our country’s early development. 

Our project is to try to save, preserve and protect 100’s of these turn of the century glass negative images before they are ruined, lost or broken.  

  We want to clean, scan and publish at least 100 images for our first project.  If the interest is there, we will do more projects in the future.  It would be a shame if these negatives were lost, destroyed or just ignored for another 100 years.

Whether the image is a horse drawn wagon or 3 men on a pole, these images are a part of our history and need to be preserved.

Our goal is to repair and save all that we can.
Several are already ruined and others are pealing or broken.  But in most cases, a print can be made from the negative.

The glass negatives are in an assortment of containers, boxes and envelopes.  They range in size from 2 X 3 to 8 X 10 inches.

Most are in protective sleeves, others are in wooden holders.  Over the years, we have accumulated several thousand of these images and All of them need to be cleaned, digitized and saved for others to enjoy.

The composition and content of these beautiful images should be preserved and shared. 

Now that we have the time to devote to working with them, we need your help to make it happen.  

Our project will include at least 100 images of unique people, places and things that are all a part of our history.  Many have never before been printed.  These glass negatives give you an interesting glimpse into our past.

Their content includes:

Sports,  basketball, football,

Train Wrecks         

Old cars by tracks  Plus many great outside images

Railroad construction from various view points

Large steam shovels with workers having fun

Horse Drawn Road Grater 

Harness shop interior

Hat shop interior and many other retail  buildings.

Trains and Train Depots  

Steam Plow            

Baseball                  

Dirt Streets             

Classrooms             

Costumes                

Political Rallies      

Cars                          

marching bands   

Plus many more interesting people, places and things  

Most of our first project is from glass negatives that were made between 1900 and 1914.  When we are able to identify the photographers and locations, we will do so.  We welcome any suggestions or questions you may have and will respond as soon as possible.  We are very anxious to start preserving these wonderful turn of the century images. 

Please help us preserve and protect these beautiful images.  Thank you for your pledge.

Again, we thank you for your support and helping us make this project possible.