P-7: Capt. Thomas E. Kenny Photograph Collection
HISTORY: From when he was 14 years of age until he retired in 1981 Capt. Kenny compiled a photographic chronicle of nearly 2,500 images on the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. In addition, he carefully preserved and cataloged his collection, making especially helpful notes on the background of particular boats and locations. Capt. Kenny's first subjects were steamboats, towboats and barges on the Ohio River. Then a few years later when he went on the river, first as a deckhand and later as a pilot, he took his camera with him, and increasingly became a skilled river photographer. During World War II Capt. Kenny served in the Coast Guard as a ferry pilot, at retirement he was the marine superintendent of the Wisconsin Barge Line, Inc., at Alton, IL, and then he continued on the river as a pilot for the Delta Queen.
SCOPE: The Kenny Collection includes photographs of old locks, towboats, barges, sternwheel steamers and other vessels that have long disappeared from the rivers. Many shots provide vivid images of small river towns and major cities such as St. Louis, Louisville , Memphis and Pittsburgh as they appeared some 50 years ago. In addition, Capt. Kenny made copies of photographs from other collections and private albums -- some dating from the 1880s.
HOLDINGS: 10 linear feet of photographs.
ACCESS: This is Special Collection P-7. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition.