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Herbert M. Webster Photographs

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3338

  • Staff Only

This collection houses approximately 500 photographs that Herbert Webster took while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains prior to the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Among the subjects most frequently depicted are House Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, Three Forks, Greenbrier Pinnacle, Rainbow Falls, Ramsey Cascades, Clingman's Dome, Siler Bald, Mt. Guyot, Mt. Cammerer, Mt. LeConte, Cades Cove, Bald Falls, and the Chimneys. Some of the pictures show Webster's fellow hikers, including Charlie Gibson, Tom Brightwell, Harvey Broome, A. G. Dutch Roth, June Thomas, Walter Cotton Clark, and Mildred Webster. The vast majority of these images are photographic negatives, but a few have accompanying prints.

Researchers should note that notes written on the original envelopes often refer to a print file and to a scrapbook that are not housed in this collection. Webster's image titles (including spelling) have been used whenever possible. Although many of the images are undated, most seem to have been made in the 1930s based on such factors as the names used for various geographical features.

Dates

  • 1926-1955 (bulk 1932-1937)

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection houses approximately 500 photographs that Herbert Webster took while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains prior to the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Among the subjects most frequently depicted are House Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, Three Forks, Greenbrier Pinnacle, Rainbow Falls, Ramsey Cascades, Clingman's Dome, Siler Bald, Mt. Guyot, Mt. Cammerer, Mt. LeConte, Cades Cove, Bald Falls, and the Chimneys. The vast majority of these images are photographic negatives, but a few have accompanying prints.

Biographical/Historical Note

Herbert Merideth Webster was born to John Corum and Ida Dena (Cunningham) Webster on November 14, 1908. He was the fifth of five children, including Marjorie Inez (who married Walter Sanders on October 11, 1934), Katherine Agnes (who married Wayne O. Thompson), Maurice C. (who married Thelma Louise Russel on June 8, 1935), and Mildred (who married Alan Miller Jr. on July 3, 1937). John Webster was a professor and founded a school near Oliver Springs, Tennessee in addition to operating a printing press. Dena (Cunningham) Webster was a descendant of the pioneer families of Mossy Creek (Jefferson County) Tennessee.

Herbert Webster graduated from Central High School and later completed accounting courses at Knoxville Business College and at the University of Tennessee. He began working for the House-Hasson Hardware Company in about 1926 and served as treasurer, director, and credit manager before retiring in 1976. Webster was also very active in the Central Baptist church of Fountain City, teaching Sunday School, leading the Royal Ambassadors program, and helping to establish Camp Bayoca. In addition to his professional activities, Webster was an avid hiker and often participated in excursions with such prominent figures as A. G. Dutch Roth, Harvey Broome, Tom Brightwell, and Charlie Gibson.

Webster married Edith Mildred Tillett (1913-2000) and had three children: Clayton, Stephen, and Martin. He died on April 16, 1994 in Knoxville, Tennessee and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

Arrangement

This collection consists of three boxes.

Acquisition Note

This collection is property of the University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480