The Museum recently received a donation of 52 two-by-three-inch tintypes from Russel Francois.
He discovered the tintypes while cleaning out the attic above the third floor of the DeWenters Building (118 W. Washington St.). We believe the tintypes may have originated from next door (116 W. Washington St.), which hosted a slew of photographers throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Given the historical context of the photos -- photographic method, clothing, and other props -- the tintypes likely date between 1860 and 1890.
Due to the thousands, if not millions, of unidentified portraits in McLean County, the Museum is highly selective about what gets accessioned into the Library & Archives. However, the mysterious history of these tintypes and the location they were found in was alluring enough to land them a spot in our climate-controlled Archives, protected in archival mylar sleeves until a future researcher can uncover more of their stories.
The archival supplies needed to preserve these images are purchased in part through the support of the Museum's Davis Level Members. Additional support for our preservation efforts can be made by through our Saving History campaign.
