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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.
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.
William C. Palmer
Date: 1938
Medium: Ink and graphite on paper
Object number: WCP.XXX.38
William C. Palmer
Date: 1953
Medium: Crayon and graphite on paper
Object number: WCP.XXX.32
William C. Palmer
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Medium: Graphite, crayon, watercolor and ink on paper
Object number: WCP.XXX.23
William C. Palmer
Date: c. 1940
Medium: Ink, wash, and graphite on paper
Object number: WCP.XXX.15
Edwin W. Dickinson
Date: February - March 1940
Medium: Oil on canvas
Object number: 2016.8.1
William E. Williams
Date: 2001, printed 2003
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2008.5.2
LaToya Ruby Frazier
Date: 2017
Medium: Four cyanotypes
Object number: 2017.4a-d
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Date: 2022
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Object number: 2022.4
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Date: c. 1917 (dated 1916)
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Object number: 1962.4
