A Guide to the Ben Ritter Photograph Collection, 2017-0006
Compiled by Zachary Hottel
July 27, 2017
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg Virginia, USA
Title: Ben Ritter Photograph Collection
Date Range: ca. 1910-ca. 1928
Collection Number: 2017-0006
Extent: 1 box
Language: English
Abstract: The Ben Ritter Photograph Collection is comprised of 11 folders of photographs contained within a single legal size box. It contains approximately 200 photographs related to Shenandoah County purchased by local researcher Ben Ritter at various auctions during the early 21st century. Approximately one half of the photographs are labeled as being from the “C.A. Scothern & Son” studio in Mt. Jackson Virginia. The creator of the remaining images is unknown. Two folders are dated, one 1926 and the other 1928. Primarily the photographs are portrait images of unidentified individuals though some show Woodstock and surrounding areas.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions: This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. Researchers must register and agree to all copyright laws and archives policies before using the collection. Please contact the Shenandoah County Library before visiting to use this collection.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of item] Ben Ritter Photograph Collection, ca. 1910-1928, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia, USA.
Acquisition Information: Donated by Ben Ritter sometime in the early 21st century.
Processing Information: This collection was stored in an unknown location before it arrived at the Shenandoah County Library. Originally it was stored in a ½ size brown, acid free letter size flip top box. After reprocessing it was stored in a single, full size flip top box and all photographs were properly placed in protective sleeves and sorted by type and identification.
Historical Note
C.A. Scothern & Son was a photograph studio operated by Charles A. Scothern and his son George W.W. Scothern in Mt. Jackson Virginia from approximately 1905 until the late 1940s. These photographs appear to have been stock images used to advertise various styles and formats.
Almost nothing is known about the remaining photographs.
Scope and Content
The Ben Ritter Photograph Collection consists of 1 linear foot of material. This includes 11 folders of photographs stored in one box. The items are sorted by the type of image, size of image, and whether they are labeled.
Bibliography
Bolgiano, Chris and Kate Morris. George W.W. Scothern Daybooks, 1905-1911. Finding Aid, November 1998 and July 2013. https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/manuscripts/scothern.aspx. Accessed July 27, 2017.
Inventory
Box 1: 38758101394566 Stack 1, Shelf 7
Folder 1.1 Unidentified Photograph Studio Strips, undated 1 of 2
Folder 1.2 Unidentified Photograph Studio Strips, undated 2 of 2
Folder 1.3 Unidentified Structures and Farm Animal Photographs, Undated
Folder 1.4 Oak Hill Bakery, undated
Folder 1.5 Group at Orkney Springs, undated
Folder 1.6 Robbie Bruce Donaldson, undated
Folder 1.7 Woodstock and Surrounding Area Photographs, September-December 1926
Folder 1.8 Woodstock Photograph, May 1928
Folder 1.9 Unidentified Portrait Photographs, undated 1 of 3
Folder 1.10 Unidentified Portrait Photographs, undated 2 of 3
Folder 1.11 Unidentified Portrait Photographs, undated 3 of 3
Folder 1.12 Group Photographs, undated
Folder 1.13 Unidentified Horse and Riders Photographs, undated