Henry A. Schmidt Photograph Collection
Scope and Content
The collection consists of original photographs of Sierra County, New Mexico, particularly, the towns of Lake Valley and Chloride ca. 1880 - 1915. Photographs document general mining operations: building, equipment, miners and surrounding area views. Also represented are town events, landscapes, and an extensive portrait collection. The collection primarily contains the photographs of Henry A. Schmidt, who lived and worked in the area. Other photographers in the collection include, T.J. Curran and E.J. Westervelt, as well as a few others. A majority of the collection was the gift of Raymond Schmidt, son of H.A. Schmidt. Other items that have been gifted or purchased have been added to the original gift of Raymond Schmidt.
Dates
- Creation: 1881 - 1937
Creator
- Schmidt, Henry A. (Person)
Access Restrictions
Researchers under supervised conditions in the Reading Room may examine material upon approval of request. There are no copyright restrictions.
Copy Restrictions
Permission to publish must be obrained from Photo Archives. Online Request Permission form available at http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photo_request.html. User responsible for all copyright compliance.
Biographical Information
Born in Germany, Henry A. Schmidt (1861-1944) moved to the United States in 1878. In 1882, as part of a survey team, he took up residence in Chloride, New Mexico. He served in the militia during the Apache uprisings of 1885. In 1889 he married Edith Holmes, of Chloride and they had four children, Edwin (1890-1965), Harry (1893-ca.1895), Amy (1895-?), and Raymond (1897-1996). Mining was his primary work, but he was also an assayer, chemist, and metallurgist. Though a miner, his heart was in photography. As an avocation, he operated a photographic studio in Chloride, New Mexico. He produced hundreds of portraits, and also did landscape work of excellent quality. His photographs were made on glass plate negatives. In 1885, and during his last few years, he was state commander of the Indian War Veterans of New Mexico. He died in 1944 at the age of 83 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A.J. Duriez, of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Extent
2.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- Henry A. Schmidt Collection, 1881 - 1937
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- DK
- Date
- © 2010
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the NMHM Palace of the Governors Photo Archives Repository