AV 126 Covered Bridges Photograph Collection

              AV 126
Covered Bridges Photograph Collection
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Manuscripts/ Audiovisual Collections
AV 126
Covered Bridges Photograph Collection
Ca. 1940- 1962
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Number:
AV 126
Title:
Covered Bridges Photograph Collection
Creator:
Unknown
Dates:
Ca. 1940- 1962
Media:
Black and White Photographs
Quantity:
0.33 cubic feet
Location:
Ohio Historical Society
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION
In the twentieth century and continuing into the twenty- first century covered bridges have been a popular subject for photography. As covered bridges age they are becoming more rare. It is estimated that over 2,000 covered bridges were built in Ohio. Now there are 141 standing. Folklore has suggested a number of reasons for covering bridges, but it was done for the practical purpose of protecting the wooden bridge frames from the weather. Covers have kept some bridges standing for over one hundred years. The rising cost of the hardwood slowed the building of wooden bridges 1880s. The high demand and escalating prices for wood during World War I effectively brought and end to the wooden bridge era.
Source:
Wood, Miriam F. and David A. Simmons. “ Covered Bridges, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia.” Wooster Book Company : Wooster, Ohio, 2007.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The collection contains 170 black and white photographs of covered bridges located in 25 Ohio counties. It is estimated that the photographs were taken ca. 1940 to1962. Some of the photographs have the specific location of the bridges and construction information recorded on the back.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLECTION
Photographs are arranged alphabetically by county.