Joliet Prison photograph collection, ca. 1889-1895.

  • Collection ID 1987.0129
  • Creator Names Wetmore, S. W., (Sidney W.), photographer. pht
  • Title Joliet Prison photograph collection [graphic].
  • Dates ca. 1889-1895.
  • Physical description
    • 43 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller. (Originals made by Wetmore).
    • ca. 140 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. (Copies by CHS from negatives).
    • 140 negatives : glass ; 9 x 11 cm. (3 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.)
  • Access and usage restrictions Please consult photoprints instead of glass negatives. To consult the glass negatives in this collection in the Research Center it is necessary to make an advance appointment (email: research@chicagohistory.org).
  • Collection summary
    • Glass negatives and photoprints of Joliet Prison taken by the prison staff photographer, S.W. Wetmore, and used in an illustrated lecture on prison reform. Subjects include male and female prisoners, guards, interior and exterior of prison buildings, prison yard and shops, cell blocks. Some images illustrate the Bertillon system of analyzing human character.
    • Chicago Historical Society made b&w, 8 x 10 in. copies from nearly all of the original negatives and filed them with the original photoprints received from the donor. The original photoprints presumably were made by S.W. Wetmore from the negatives soon after he took the photographs.
  • Finding Aids Note Container list available (1987-129).
  • Acquisition information Gift of Estelle S. Burton, 1952 (1987.0129).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the manuscript: Life in Joliet Prison, by S. W. Wetmore, 1892, and publications by Wetmore.
  • Names
    • Illinois State Penitentiary (Joliet, Ill.)
    • Burton, Frank A. Portraits.
    • McClaughry, R. W. (Robert Wilson), 1839-1920 Portraits.
    • Neebe, Oscar W., 1850-1916 Portraits.
    • Schwab, Michael, 1853-1898 Portraits.
    • Fielden, Samuel, 1847-1922 Portraits.
  • Subjects
    • Prison facilities Illinois Joliet 1890-1899. lctgm
    • Prison hospitals Illinois Joliet 1890-1899. lctgm
    • Prison reform Illinois Joliet 1890-1899. lctgm
    • Prisoners Illinois Joliet 1890-1899. lctgm
    • Bertillon system
    • Guards. Illinois Joliet 1890-1899. lctgm
    • Chapels. Illinois Joliet 1890-1899. lctgm
    • Offices. Illinois Joliet 1890-1899. lctgm
    • Women Illinois Joliet Work 1890-1899.
    • Haymarket Anarchists Trial, Chicago, Ill., 1886.
  • Geographic coverage Joliet (Ill.) Social conditions 1890-1899.
  • Genre
    • Portraits. gmgpc
    • Montages. gmgpc
    • Identification photographs. gmgpc
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
    • Glass negatives. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Will County Joliet.
  • Finding aid URL