Office of Public Affairs Photograph Collection, 1947-2016

Creator:

Columbia University. Office of Public Affairs

Abstract:

This collection is a combination of several different accessions of prints, negatives, contact sheets, color slides and digital files that were created by the University Photographer and others in the Columbia University Office of Public Affairs. The collection documents many events held on campus (e.g., commencement, homecoming, 1968 protests), the Morningside campus, individuals (faculty, student athletes), and sporting events.

Extent:

138.80 linear feet 50 document boxes; 2 slide boxes; 2 photo binders; 43 index card boxes; 69 clamshell boxes; 59 record cartons.

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

Biographical / historical:

The position of University Photographer in the Office of Public Information was created in 1947. Manny Warman worked as a freelance photographer before filling this position, which he held until 1983. Prior to this position, photographers at the University were employed either as work-for-hire or staff, but were not officers of the administration. For this reason, employment records were not retained for these photographers. Freelance photographers may have been used by the University Photographer, but not credited.

The University Photographer photographed material primarily for use by the Office of Public Information (now the Office of Public Affairs), but also worked for other departments and individuals. During Manny Warman's tenure the bulk of his photographs were published in the periodical Columbia Alumni News. Many of these particular images can be found in this collection. Alumni News was published by the Alumni Council of Columbia University, 1909-1957.

Joe Pineiro was photographing for the University in the 1970s and held the position of University photographer from 1983 until 1998. Eileen Barroso began taking photographs for the University in 1985 and assumed the University Photograph position in 1998, continuing in this role as of 2022.

The first issue of the periodical, Columbia University Record was published on July 22, 1975. Roger J. Hackett served as editor for the Record for 18 years, ending in 1998, at which time managing editor, Amy Callahan took over the position from 1998 through 2000. She was followed by Pamela Q. Vu (2000-2001), Jason Hollander (2001-2003), Colin Morris (2003-2004), Peter Kobel (2004-2005) and Mary-Lea Cox (2005-2007). The Record was edited by Bridget O'Brian who became editor in 2007.

University Photographers: Manny Warman 1946-1983; Joe Pineiro 1983-1998; and Eileen Barroso 1998-2022 ongoing.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--The Office of Public Affairs Photograph Collection is comprised of several different accessions.

Source of acquisition--The first (accession 2000-006) was transferred from the University Photographer and dated circa 1947-1983. The negatives and slides resided in two metal filing cabinets. The original subject divisions provided by Manny Warman, University Photographer, 1947-1983, were retained. The negatives were left in their original paper sleeves, but ultimately re-boxed into archival negative boxes.

Source of acquisition--The second accession (2003-034) included photographs taken by Joe Pineiro, University Photographer, 1983-1998 and those taken by freelance photographer Eileen Barroso, 1985-1998. The negatives for these images were transferred in their negative cabinets, arranged in alphabetical order. These were also kept in their original storage sleeves but re-boxed into archival negative boxes. Accessions 2000-006 and 2003-34 now comprise Series II of this collection.

Source of acquisition--Color slides (now found in Series III of this collection) were received in accession 2002-035. These were removed from their original binders, filed, and re-boxed. Color slides found in accession 2001-052 were added to these boxes.

Source of acquisition--A separate accession (2001-052) of photographs depicting 1968 student protests on campus is housed in binders for ease of access. Related protest negatives from earlier accession 2000-006 were added to binders. These were received on December 28, 2001 from Roger Hackett in the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), who had received them from Suzanne Trimmel who also worked in that office. This accession now comprises Series IV of this collection.

Source of acquisition--Negatives and slides from the accession 2003-046 were used by the Columbia University Record, a publication of the Office of Public Affairs. Most negatives were taken by photographer Amy Callahan and date from 1997-1998. For purposes of storage, corresponding contact sheets were separated from negatives and housed within the Historical Photograph Collection (UA#0003). All negatives are 35mm format and were re-boxed. These negatives can now be found in Series II of this collection.

Source of acquisition--The bulk of photographs from accession 2004-038 (now found in Series I of this collection) consist of black and white 8 x 10 prints and date approximately1980-2000, with earlier images used by Columbia University Record office during this time. 35mm slides, negatives, and 8 x10 contact sheets are also found in this accession. Identified photographers include Joe Pineiro, Eileen Barroso and Amy Callahan. Some prints were collected and published by the office from non-Columbia University photographers.

Source of acquisition--The most recent accession (2011.2012.M024) comprise negatives, prints, contact sheets and digital files on compact discs of images taken by University Photographer Eileen Barroso (1998-present) and primarily covers the years 1999-2006. This accession (now found in Series V of this collection) also included some older prints and negatives that were taken by her predecessor Joe Pineiro.

Processing information:

This collection was processed by Jennifer Ulrich, Jocelyn Wilk, Allison Chambers (GSAAP 2007), Gillian Rhodes (Columbia College 2012), Maya Meredith (Columbia College 2014), and Laura Thomas (School of the Arts 2013).

Finding aid written by Jocelyn Wilk in July and August 2012.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in five series. Each series has its own box numbering sequence so when requesting boxes be sure to include the series number as well as the box number.

Series I. Photographs; Series II. Negatives; Series III. Color Slides; Series IV. Protest and Activism Photographs; Series V. Eileen Barroso Photographs.

Accruals:

Materials have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact uarchives@columbia.edu for more information. Additions are expected.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

Columbia Spectator Photograph Collection, 1950-1999 (UA#0036)

Columbia University Faculty Photographs, 1938 (UA#0115)

Graduate School of Journalism Photographs, 1918-2002 (UA#0110)

Health Sciences Archives & Special Collections

Historical Photograph Collection, 1860 - . (UA#0003)

University Protest and Activism Collection, 1958-1999 [Bulk Dates: 1968-1972] (UA#007)

Varsity Show Collection, 1894- . (UA#016)

Access and use

Restrictions:

Access to any digital files found in Series V (Eileen Barroso Photographs) needs to be specifically arranged with an archives staff member. Otherwise, there are no restrictions in this collection.

This collection is located on site.

Terms of access:

Single copies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Office of Public Affairs Photograph Collection; Series Number; Box and Folder (if known); University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Columbia University Archives

University Archives Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: uarchives@columbia.edu

Collection