The Farm, 1954-1961

Scope and content:

Gedney's earliest experiences with a film camera took place on his grandparents' dairy farm in Norton Hill, New York State in the 1950s. Featured in these photographs are the places familiar to him from childhood: the road leading up to the farm, the stone walls, barns, the cattle, hills, and fields. At the center of this world are Gedney's elderly grandparents, who are witnessing the passing of their way of life as they go about their daily routines. Other family members also appear: Gedney's parents, other relatives, and younger brother Richard.

The series ends with the auction of his grandparents' farm on a rainy day in 1961. These images are only found in the proof prints group.

Almost all of these prints bear the simple title "Farm" written in Gedney's hand. A few have formal titles, perhaps because they were published or exhibited.

Prints are arranged in rough chronological order.

Material specific details:
The earliest image identifiers usually begin with letter code "F" rather than the contact sheet-row-frame number system Gedney developed around 1959. In the earliest time period, he developed contact sheets from single cut negative frames, assigning an identifier to each one. He also reprinted some negative strips and renumbered them. Generally, library staff have retained the earlier, original legacy ids when forming the institutional image identifier; alternate legacy ids that may be present on contact sheets or other images are listed in the note field.

Contents

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Collection restrictions:

Portions of the collection are closed pending digitization.

Negatives and original audiovisual media are closed to use. Viewing and listening copies are available upon advance request.

Please contact the Rubenstein Library before coming to use this collection.

Use & permissions:

The copyright interests for Gedney images in this collection are held by Duke University. However, some commercial work, audio recordings, and materials by other creators, may carry other copyright considerations. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, or contact the Rubenstein Library.

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