The Glass Negatives of Ira Gibson and Photo Scan-a-Thon

GREENTOWN, IN — The Greentown Historical Society will host a special presentation by Joan Hostetler of The Indiana Album on the history of glass negatives, featuring the extraordinary Gibson Photograph Collection.

From the 1890s through the 1940s Ira Gibson (1868–1944), and later his daughter Jewell, ran a photography studio in Greentown, capturing more than 50 years of local history. Their work offers a vivid window into the town's past, documenting the faces, places, and daily life of earlier generations.

Greentown is fortunate these glass negatives survived," said Hostetler. Thanks to the foresight of Jenkins Studio, who saved hundreds of Gibson's plates, and to the Indiana Album's digitization and cataloging, the originals are now held at the Howard County Historical Society. This collaboration ensures these images are both protected and accessible for future generations.

The digital collection can be viewed at tinyurl.com/hc758ja5. Many images are still unidentified; viewers are encouraged to click "Send Us Feedback" to help name people or places.

Hostetler will showcase Gibson's portraits, town views, and community events while discussing the history, preservation, and digitization of fragile dry-plate negatives. Attendees will learn about early photography and the lasting value of these historic images.

A Scan-a-thon will also be held at the History Center from noon to 4:00 p.m. the same day. Community members are invited to bring historic Indiana photos—businesses, buildings, schools, people, or events—for scanning and inclusion in the Indiana Album's growing digital archive. Items will be scanned and returned while you wait.

The Indiana Album has digitized and cataloged over 26,000 photographs, viewable at www.indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com. This statewide initiative captures and shares precious visual history often hidden in family albums and attics.

Both events are free, but reservations are requested for the Scan-a-thon. To schedule a time, contact the Greentown Historical Society or email aW5mbyB8IGluZGlhbmFhbGJ1bSAhIGNvbQ==.

Info: A Scan-a-thon will also be held at the History Center from noon to 4:00 p.m. the same day. Community members are invited to bring historic Indiana photos—businesses, buildings, schools, people, or events—for scanning and inclusion in the Indiana Album's growing digital archive. Items will be scanned and returned while you wait.


The Indiana Album has digitized and cataloged over 26,000 photographs, viewable at www.indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com. This statewide initiative captures and shares precious visual history often hidden in family albums and attics.


Both events are free, but reservations are requested for the Scan-a-thon. To schedule a time, contact the Greentown Historical Society or email aW5mbyB8IGluZGlhbmFhbGJ1bSAhIGNvbQ==.


About The Indiana Album: The Indiana Album is a nonprofit community digitization initiative that collects, preserves, and shares Indiana's visual history. By digitizing privately held photographs and making them publicly accessible, The Indiana Album creates a valu

Info: This slide show will highlight the career of photographer Ira Gibson, who operated a studio in Greentown, Indiana from the 1890s through the 1940s when his daughter Jewell took over the business. Learn about the history of negatives, the fate of his collection, and view dozens of his images of the community.