Oneida Institute Interior, Whitesboro, New York, from the series "Underground Railroad"

Artist Document Files\Artist U thru Z\Williams, William E\Audio Files\Audio of Ilana Carlin '09 Interview with William E. Williams '73 1.m4a

Artist Document Files\Artist U thru Z\Williams, William E\Exhibition Catalogs\Uncovering the Path to Freedom 2008.pdf

Artist/Maker William E. Williams (American, born 1950, Class of 1973)

Date2003 (printed 2007)

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsComposition: 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 in. (19.1 × 19.1 cm) Sheet: 9 15/16 × 7 15/16 in. (25.3 × 20.2 cm)

Credit LineGift of William Earle Williams, Class of 1973, in honor of the Class of 1973

Object number2008.5.4

Not on view

DescriptionReverend G.W. Gale founded the Oneida Institute in 1827. It was an integrated college that focused on science and technology. The Institute was the first college in America to enroll both black and white male students. Gerrit Smith served as a trustee and Jermain Loguen was a student. In July 1832, “thirty-five students organized New York State’s first anti-slavery society based on the immediatist principles.” WW: This building and its circular window captured in the photograph can be seen in early engravings of the Institute. The original campus was changed when it became a textile mill. The present owners of the property gave me unfettered access to this site. I was there most of the day and the exposure for this picture was over three minutes. Photographing these sites requires a psychological and technical understanding of the equipment selected to make a successful picture. (SOURCE: Adair, et al., "Uncovering the Path to Freedom" exh. cat, p. 28)

Collections

Additional Details

Exhibition History 2011
Online exhibition ( http://www.hamilton.edu/emerson_gallery/upf/ ), "Uncovering the Path to Freedom: Photographs of the Underground Railroad by William Earle Williams, '73," August 2008-October 2011.

2006-08
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Uncovering the Path to Freedom: Photographs of the Underground Railroad," January 14 - April 13, 2008 (cat no. 27, illus.). Traveled to: Auburn, NY (Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center) April 26 - June 14, 2006.

Provenance 2008: Hamilton College (Fred L. Emerson Gallery), by gift of the artist.

Markings Blind stamp: "PHOTOGRAPH / BY / WILLIAM EARLE WILLIAMS / COPYRIGHT" at lower center.

Published References Katerina Adair, Ilana Carlin, Sophia Franck, Deborah Pokinski and Susanna White, UNCOVERING THE PATH TO FREEDOM: PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BY WILLIAM EARLE WILLIAMS '73, exh. cat. (Clinton, NY: Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College, 2008), 28, illus. p. 28.

Signature Signed "William Earle Williams" on verso at lower center in pencil.

Inscribed "Oneida Institute Interior, Whitesboro, Ny 2003" on verso at lower center in pencil; "Cr55 kpc 72607" on verso at lower right in pencil; "oneida inst. NY 03 f11 1.2 55 BGFDLOPT Bruppt 55 s Br UPRtLP" on verso along lower edge in pencil.