Guide to the Stephen Merrill Photograph Collection, 1930-1960
Stephen Merrill photograph collection, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
Stephen Merrill was born in Skowhegan, Maine on June 22, 1912. He attended Skowhegan schools and Hebron Academy and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1935. In 1938 Merrill joined the Brown Studio of Photography and in 1939 he became a professional photographer in Brunswick, Maine. He was the official Bowdoin college photographer for several years, and worked on such projects as the yearbook and the "Illustrated Handbook of the Bowdoin College Museum of Fine Arts." He was also the official photographer for Hebron Academy from 1951 to 1962. From 1943 to 1946 Merrill served in the Army Signal Corps, during which time he continued his photography. Merrill was also well known as a humorist and produced several recordings of traditional Maine yarns spoken in Maine dialect.
Photographs by Steven Merrill comprising "50 Camera Portraits" (60 mounted photographic prints, some duplicates) and 14 additional photographic prints, chiefly subjects from Brunswick and Skowhegan, Maine, ca. 1930-1960; several Bowdoin College faculty are represented. There are also photographs taken while Merrill was in the Army Signal Corps, stationed in Japan and in the Phillipine Islands.
Last photograph of the last Heath Hen. 31 March, 1930, by Alfred Gross.
Eddie Bolduc. Skowhegan (ME). 1937
Japanese Children. Osaka (Japan). 1945 (2 copies)
Phillipine Woman. Urdanetta (P.I.). 1945 (3 copies)
Blind Beggar. Urdanetta (P.I.). 1945 (2 copies)
Sikh Merchant. Urdanetta (P.I.). 1945
Lloyd Frankenberg. Skowhegan (ME). 1947
Mrs. Jose de Kreeft. Skowhegan (ME). 1947
Henry Varnum Poor. Skowhegan (ME). 1947
Abraham Rattner. Skowhegan (ME). 1947
Gregor and Jada Rowland. New York. 1947 (2 copies)
Loren MacIver. Skowhegan (ME). 1947
Philip Guston. Skowhegan (ME). 1947
Maurice Merrill. Skowhegan (ME). 1948 (2 copies)
Frederick E.T. Tillotson. Brunswick (ME). 1948
Gertrude Tiemer. Cundy's Harbor (ME). 1949
Mel Burke. Lakewood (ME). 1950
Edythe Laws. Brunswick (ME). 1950
Day Merrill. Presque Isle (ME). 1951
Howard Lindsey and Dorothy Stickney. Brunswick (ME). 1951
Stephen Hearne. Skowhegan (ME). 1952 (2 copies)
Jay Saunders Redding. Brunswick (ME). 1952 (2 copies)
Jack Levine. Skowhegan (ME). 1952
Willard W. Cummings and Art Student. Skowhegan (ME). 1952
Stephen M. Etnier. Basin Point (ME). 1953
Alphonse Shelton. Wiscasset (ME). 1953
"One-Eyed Bill Smith." Hebron (ME). 1953 (2 copies)
Reverend Chauncey W. Goodrich. Brunswick (ME). 1953
Peter Viereck. Hebron (ME). 1953 (2 copies)
William Beeson. Brunswick (ME). 1953 (2 copies)
Advertisement "Steve Merrill Maine Humorist...Yarn Spinner" and obituary.
Xavier Gonzales. Skowhegan (ME). 1954
Robert P.T. Coffin. East Harpswell (ME). 1954 (2 copies)
Donald Oenslager. Brunswick (ME). 1954 (3 copies)
William Zorach. Brunswick (ME). 1954
Cadwallader Washburn. Brunswick (ME). 1954
Bernice Hamilton. Brunswick (ME). 1954
Pierre Jolivet. Brunswick (ME). 1955 (2 copies)
Vivian Akers. Hebron (ME). 1955
"Pop" Williams. Topsham (ME). 1955 (2 copies)
Dr. Malini Sukthankar. Brunswick (ME). 1955 (2 copies)
Nathan Dane. Brunswick (ME). 1956
Ladd MacMillan. Hebron (ME). 1956
2 undated photographs and one cover page for Merrill's 50 photographs
Undated and unidentified photographs of identical image (5 copies)
Various undated and unidentified photographs- small (13 pieces)