Henry A. Schmidt Photograph Collection

Collection

Identifier: PAAC-005

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection consists of original photographs of Sierra County, New Mexico, particularly, the towns of Lake Valley and Chloride ca. 1880 - 1915. Photographs document general mining operations: building, equipment, miners and surrounding area views. Also represented are town events, landscapes, and an extensive portrait collection. The collection primarily contains the photographs of Henry A. Schmidt, who lived and worked in the area. Other photographers in the collection include, T.J. Curran and E.J. Westervelt, as well as a few others. A majority of the collection was the gift of Raymond Schmidt, son of H.A. Schmidt. Other items that have been gifted or purchased have been added to the original gift of Raymond Schmidt.

Dates

1881 - 1937

Creator

Schmidt, Henry A. (Person)

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to researchers on an appointment basis. Contact the Photo Archivist to request to view original material.

Copy Restrictions

User responsible for all copyright compliance. Permission to publish must be obtained from Photo Archives. Form to request permission available at: https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/collections/photo-archives/order-photos

Biographical Information

Born in Germany, Henry A. Schmidt (1861-1944) moved to the United States in 1878. In 1882, as part of a survey team, he took up residence in Chloride, New Mexico. He served in the militia during the Apache uprisings of 1885. In 1889 he married Edith Holmes, of Chloride and they had four children, Edwin (1890-1965), Harry (1893-ca.1895), Amy (1895-?), and Raymond (1897-1996). Mining was his primary work, but he was also an assayer, chemist, and metallurgist. Though a miner, his heart was in photography. As an avocation, he operated a photographic studio in Chloride, New Mexico. He produced hundreds of portraits, and also did landscape work of excellent quality. His photographs were made on glass plate negatives. In 1885, and during his last few years, he was state commander of the Indian War Veterans of New Mexico. He died in 1944 at the age of 83 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A.J. Duriez, of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Collection Available Online

Select images from the Schmidt Collection are available on New Mexico Digital Collections.

Related Material

Related materials are in the Henry A. Schmidt Collection (AC 206), Fray Angelico Chavez History Library.

NMSU and UNM also hold collections of Henry A. Schmidt's photographs.