Doris Ulmann Photographic Collection
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Doris Ulmann Photographic Collection
- Date
- 1915-1925 (inclusive)
- Extent
- 3.5 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Appalachians (People) -- Pictorial works.
- Bert T. Combs Appalachian Collection
- Preferred Citation
- 96PA104: [Identification of item], Doris Ulmann Photographic Collection, 1915-1925, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Doris Ulmann, born in New York City in 1882, was the daughter of wealthy German immigrants. In 1900 she enrolled in New York's Ethical Culture School in New York and her photographic work became widely respected. Few individuals denied her request for a sitting. Her New York subjects included many intellectual and literary leaders such as Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sinclair Lewis, Albert Einstein, Paul Robeson, and Thomas Wolfe. Despite her work with the upper echelon of New York, her interest in the individual citizen was not lost. Intensely interested in the preservation of rapidly changing and even disappearing cultures, Ulmann made many trips to photograph the Gullah people of South Carolina; the Melungeons, African-Americans, Cajuns, and whites throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana and North Carolina. Much of her time was spent in Eastern Kentucky photographing individuals in Letcher, Perry, and Knott counties among others. Some of her subjects were individuals who later became known for their craftsmanship, or musicianship, such as the Ritchie family of Viper, Kentucky.
- Scope and Content
- The Doris Ulmann Photographic Collection (dated 1915-1925; 6 Boxes: 202 items; 3.5 cubic feet) consists of three different photographic collections totaling 202 unique items received by the library in 1970, 1978, and 1996 respectively.
- Collection PA70M1 consists of 16 original, signed portraits by Ulmann of mountain whites photographed in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. There is no attached manuscript collection in the Special Collections and Digital Programs.
- Collection 78PA101 consists of 32 original, signed silver gelatin prints by Ulmann. There is no attached manuscript collection in the Special Collections and Digital Programs.
- Collection 98PA101 consists of 154 original, signed silver gelatin prints by Ulmann. There is no attached manuscript collection in the Special Collections and Digital Programs.
- The 202 images represented on this site are digital surrogates of accessioned photographs housed in the Audio-Visual Archives of University of Kentucky. Text accompanying these images were derived from staff inventory descriptions of the photographs.
- Processing Info
- Processed with PA70M1, 78PA101
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky.
Contents of the Collection
pa70m1
Scope and Contents note
This collection consists of 16 original, signed prints by Doris Ulmann. It is housed in one box.
Two unidentified children, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, enlarged crop of image pa70m1 item 6, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
"Old Man", same subject as items 11-14, undated
"Old Man", same subject as items 10, 12-14, undated
"Old Man", same subject as items 10-12, 13-14, undated
"Old Man", same subject as items 10-12, 14, undated
"Old Man", same subject as items 10-13, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Covey Odhom, tanner, Luther, Tennessee, undated
78pa101
Scope and Contents note
This collection consists of 32 original, signed prints by Doris Ulmann. It is housed in one box.
Miss Sarah Connelly, weaver and spinner, Brasstown, North Carolina, undated
Hannah Smith, spinner, weaver, and singer, Brasstown, North Carolina, undated
Elizabeth Madox Robert (1881-1941), undated
Elizabeth Madox Robert (1881-1941), undated
Miss Roselie Pless, Russellville, Tennessee, undated
Aunt Didie Netherly, lacemaker and weaver, Grassy Valley, Tennessee, undated
Lydia Ramsey, Sugarlands, Tennessee, undated
Mrs. Johnston, Singer, Brasstown, North Carolina, undated
Old Man Miller, wood carver, Pine Log, North Carolina, undated
John Jacob Niles interviewing elderly man, undated
John Jacob Niles with Mr. Ritchie and dulcimer in Viper, Kentucky, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Bristol Taylor; dulcimer-maker, farmer and poet, Berea, Kentucky, undated
Mr. Bryant, Brasstown, North Carolina, undated
John Menders, father of Cheevars, Cleveland, Georgia, undated
Christopher Lewis, preacher, Wooton, Kentucky, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Henderson Mullins, Puncheon Creek Camp, Kentucky, working at "boom and treadle lathe", undated
John B. Shell, Pine Mountains, Kentucky, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Preacher; used on the cover of "The Appalachian Photographs of Doris Ulmann" (1971), undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, died May 1928, undated
Unidentified landscape from Frank McVey's files, removed to archives in January 1953, undated
Unidentified landscape from Frank McVey's files, removed to archives in January 1953, undated
96pa104
Scope and Contents note
This collection consists of 154 original, signed prints by Doris Ulmann. It is housed in four boxes.
Two-story house, Charleston, SC, undated
Unidentified house, undated
Unidentified house, undated
Churchill Weavers building, Berea, Kentucky, undated
Unidentified small building, undated
Cemetery, undated
Brick wall and gate; [on verso] "Large pinhole got in Louisville, KY", undated
Arched brick doorway, undated
Brick and stone building, undated
Brick and stone building with iron gate, undated
Brick and stone building with tiled roof, undated
Monastery gate, South Carolina, undated
Three-story stone building with porches and columns, undated
Archway of building, undated
Large stone building in the distance, undated
Tree against sky, with dome and cupola of building in background, undated
Evelyn Necarsulmer, 1916
Girl in ringlets, ribbon, and dress, standing in front of tree, undated
Evelyn Necarsulmer, undated
Evelyn Necarsulmer, undated
Evelyn Necarsulmer, undated
Evelyn Necarsulmer, undated
Two women and three children, undated
"Children at Prayer", undated
Group with with bags of cotton, undated
"The Orphan", undated
Unidentified infant, undated
Unidentified child, undated
Pamela Luther Flynn, undated
Unidentified child with bow and arrow, undated
"Young Boy with Sailbot", undated
"The New Boat", 1918
Two unidentified children with squashes, undated
Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York, undated
Waterfall with rock cliffs and overhanging trees, undated
River with snow-covered banks, undated
Central Park, New York, New York, rock formation; [on verso] "This is the famous rock I watched for 2 hours until the sun was exactly right", undated
Central Park, New York, New York, rock formation; [on verso] "This is another view of the bloody rock", undated
Long Island Sound, New York; [on verso] "L. Island Sound from south shore" [J.J. Niles' handwriting]., undated
Landscape with stone wall, undated
Magnolia sapling, Madison County, Kentucky, undated
Still life, bowl with roses, undated
Still life, irises in vase, undated
Still life, flower with large leaves, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, barrels and pier, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, barrels, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, wharf at low tide, undated
[on verso]: "The Old Wharf, Gloucester, Massachusetts", undated
[on verso]: "The Old Wharf, Gloucester, Massachusetts", alternate or damaged print of item 48, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; [on verso]: "Weatherstained", undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, wharf with boats in foreground, undated
[on verso]: "Harbor, Gloucester, Massachusetts", undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, boats in harbor, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; [on verso] "Low Tide", undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, prow of ship, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, prow-on image of boat, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, stern of boat with boom, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; [on verso]: "Masts", undated
South Carolina. Rowboat, baskets, jug, and coils of rope sitting in shed, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts, barrel suspended on hook, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; unidentified man cleaning fish, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; [on verso]: "The Fisherman", undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; unidentified man with nets, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; unidentified man with nets, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; unidentified man with nets, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; unidentified man with barrels, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; [on verso]: "Drying Nets", undated
John Jacob Niles playing piano, 1932
Unidentified man in laboratory, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; unidentified man, undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; [on verso]: "The Cooper of Gloucester", undated
Gloucester, Massachusetts; unidentified men with cart and spool of cable, undated
Unidentified man, South Carolina, undated
Unidentified man, seated on dock, undated
Unidentified man, Charleston, South Carolina, undated
[on verso]: "Farmer with Scythe", undated
Unidentified man, undated
[on verso]: "Restful Moment", undated
[on verso]: "Sacred image carver, New Orleans, LA", 1931
Webb Connerlson, potter from Bybee, Madison County, Kentucky, undated
Mrs. C. U. Wood, quiltmaker, Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia, undated
Aunt C. Ritchie, basket-maker, Hindman, Kentucky, undated
Mrs. Lucy Lakes weaving with corn husks, undated
Three dancers in long white dresses, ascending stairs, undated
"Dancers in Company", undated
Allen Eaton, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Dr. Royal Whitman (1957-1946) orthopedic surgeon, undated
Dr. Abraham Jacobi (1830-1919) Professor of Children's Diseases, The College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, 1916
Frederick Villers, undated
Frederick Villers, undated
Richard Berry Harrison (1864-1835), actor and drama instructor, 1932
Richard Berry Harrison (1864-1835), actor and drama instructor, 1932
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Sewell Haggard, editor of "Everybody's Magazine", undated
Sewell Haggard, editor of "Everybody's Magazine", undated
Unidentified man, undated
Henry Necarsulmer, brother-in-law of Doris Ulmann, undated
Max Weber, Art and Design teacher at the Clarence H. White Schools of Photography, New York, New York, 1917
Max Weber, Art and Design teacher at the Clarence H. White Schools of Photography, New York, New York, 1917
Charles Rollinson Lamb (1860-1942,) American architect and sculptor, undated
Charles Rollinson Lamb (1860-1942,) American architect and sculptor, undated
Charles Rollinson Lamb (1860-1942,) American architect and sculptor, undated
Charles Rollinson Lamb (1860-1942,) American architect and sculptor, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, 1917
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified men, playing checkers, undated
[on verso]: "The Dock Hand", undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Lawrence Abbott, editor of "The Outlook", 1925
Lawrence Abbott, editor of "The Outlook", 1925
Frank McVey (1869-1953,) President of the University of Kentucky (1917-1940), undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Russell Hibbs, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, undated
Frederick Villers, undated
Rabindrinath Tagore, undated
Unidentified man, undated
[on verso]: "The Blacksmith", undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified man, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Ruth St. Denis (born Ruth Dennis; 1879-1968) dancer, co-founder in 1915 of the American Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts, undated
Lillian Gish (1893-1993), undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
[no verso]: "On the Mounting Block", undated
Unidentified woman, circa 1918-1925
Unidentified woman, undated
[on verso]: "Mennonite Woman", undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Della S. Cossnell, undated
Mother of Sarah Blanding, South Carolina, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Aunt Lizzie Regan, weaver, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, undated
Unidentified woman, undated
Still life, bowl with metal stand sitting on glass brick, undated
Still life, table with place setting, candlestick, and plant, undated
Still life, stack of three books, undated
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.









































































































































































































