Research

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of film (nitrate) negatives of canal sites and structures which represent the first general use of photography by the state's canal departments. They were apparently prepared as part of a systematic documentation of structural problems with the canal, especially in the eastern division. The images are vital to the interpretation of the foundation materials and construction used for support of canal structures, especially at Schoharie Crossing. Also included are general views with excellent background details, and closeups of masonry and other structures.

Nearly all the negatives have handwritten titles on them, but no dates. This type of film was produced by Kodak for only about two years in the mid-1890s. The earliest documentation of the images is as illustrations in the annual report of the Surveyor General in 1894; some other images appear in subsequent reports. Some maps from the period which bear the initials of R.L. Adams, correspond to some of the negative images. This indicates that Adams, as surveyor general, or a member of his staff may have been the guiding force behind use of photography in this way, but the idea has not been substantiated.