Descriptive inventory for the Charles Young visual materials, ca. 1910-1950s

Digitization and preservation of the nitrate negatives was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

To consult most items in this collection it is necessary to make an advance appointment (email: research@chicagohistory.org).

Nitrate negatives restricted from access, see reference copies instead.

In order to view an original motion picture film, a research copy must be made.

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Yersavich, 1989 (1989.0402).

Nitrate reference copies available online http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/cdm/ref/collection/chm_pp/id/1464.

Charles Young visual materials (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

Black-and-white glass and nitrate negatives, lantern slides, photographic prints, and color moving image film taken by motion picture projectionist, Charles Young. Images primarily depict portraits of men, women and children (some identified as Young's family); homes; and streets in and around the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. The majority of the negatives depict leisure activities such as boating and related scenes of water/lakefronts, marinas, boats and ships. Some images appear to be of Jackson Park Harbor and South Haven, Michigan. Also included are landscape photographs, some of which are identified as Chicago parks and Starved Rock, Illinois. Large group portraits include a Mennonite Church congregation, a group in a canyon (perhaps at Starved Rock), and a group in front of a theater.

Other theater-related images depict exterior views of motion picture theaters like the Center, the Garfield, and possibly the Grand theater, as well as unidentified theaters, including one adjacent to 176 N. State Street. Lantern slides contain advertisements or public service announcements for theatergoers.

A few photographs are reproductions of Young's papers, including a jeweler's payment record for a diamond ring and his enlistment and discharge papers from the army (1918-1919). The unidentified color film begins with a Christmas scene.

Charles Addison Fountain Young, born ca. 1889, was a Chicago motion picture projectionist, who resided at 3010 Emerald Avenue in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. The collection was discovered in a Chicago house (possibly 3010 Emerald) by a relative of the donors.

Eliminated call number 1989.0402 PNN-0035 during nitrate digitization project 2017/05/03.

• NamesYoung, Charles (Charles Addison Fountain), 1889-
• Subject
  • Boats and boating--Illinois--Chicago Region--1910-1959
  • Churches
  • Christmas--1950-1959
  • Lakes--Illinois--LaSalle County
  • Motion picture theaters--Illinois--Chicago--1910-1959
  • Waterfronts--Illinois--Chicago--1910-1959
  • Waterfronts--Michigan--South Haven--1910-1959
• Geographic Coverage
  • Starved Rock (Historic site : Ill.)--Photographs
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--1910-1959

The collection is arranged into two series by physical format.

Series 1. Glass negatives and slides, ca. 1910-1930s

Series 1 contains black-and-white glass negatives and positive slides, as well as photographic prints made from approximately 30 glass negatives; all photographs taken by Charles Young. Images depict boating activities, boat building, ships, marinas, buildings, camping, dwellings, interiors, parks, cityscapes and landscapes, portraits (some identified), movie theaters, and motion picture advertisements. Some images are reproductions of Young's personal papers.

Series 2. Nitrate negatives and moving image film, ca. 1910-1950s

Series 2 contains black-and-white nitrate negatives and color 35mm moving image film taken by Charles Young. Still images depict boats, boating, waterfront areas buildings, cameras, a conservatory, the Garfield theater, landscapes, parks, a passenger ship, people, Starved Rock, Ill., and streets; the moving images begin with a Christmas scene.