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William Derris Slide Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2123

  • Staff Only

The Derris Slide Collection is composed of approximately 4400 slides from the 1940's through the 1960's of the Great Smoky Mountains region of Tennessee. William Derris was an amateur photographer and owner of the Derris Motel (later the Laughing Horse Inn) in Townsend, Tennessee, which he photographed at length and used the slides of those photographs in a slide show for the entertainment of his guests.

The slides are arranged alphabetically by topic. The collection's originator identified these topical series and they have been maintained. Approximately ninety percent of the individual slides were previously marked with indicators and specific information regarding the content of the slide by Derris.

Dates

  • circa 1940s-1960s

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

3 Linear Feet (5 boxes [4 half, 1 flat])

Abstract

The Derris Slide Collection is composed of approximately 4400 slides from the 1940's through the 1960's of the Great Smoky Mountains region of Tennessee. William Derris was an amateur photographer and owner of the Derris Motel (later the Laughing Horse Inn) in Townsend, Tennessee, which he photographed at length and used the slides of those photographs in a slide show for the entertainment of his guests.

Biographical/Historical Note

William Derris was the owner of the Derris Motel, (later renamed Laughing Horse Inn), located in Townsend, Tennessee. Throughout his ownership of the inn, Derris photographed guests, seasonal landscapes, flora, wildlife, personal pets, and the surrounding areas of East Tennessee.

Arrangement

Collection consists of five boxes.

Acquisition Note

Dwain Caylor donated this collection in 2000.

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