New Glass Plate Negatives Highlight Belfast History

Aug 26, 2009 -- The Penobscot Marine Museum recently obtained more than 100 "new" glass plate negatives showing views of Belfast from the early 20th century, adding valuable images to its impressive photographic archives.

In early August, historian and Republican Journal contributor Isabel Morse Maresh donated 40 glass plate negatives from the Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company to the museum, including several wonderful shots highlighting what has changed and what has stayed the same in Belfast.

Then just two weeks later, museum trustee John Roulstone got last-minute word of a collection of glass-plate negatives to be auctioned in nearby Northport. Mr. Roulstone won the lot after spirited bidding, and came back with 77 plates of various sizes, some as big as 8" x 10", most of Belfast, and most dated between 1904 and 1935. Museum photo archivist Kevin Johnson has identified some of them as the work of Charles Townsend, a well-known Belfast photographer and postcard publisher.

For more information, contact Kevin Johnson at (207) 548-2529 ext. 210.