Berg picture collection

The Berg Picture Collection contains more than 2,800 photographs, mostly Newark street scenes, taken by Samuel Berg, MD between 1960 and 1968. The bulk of the collection consists of fifteen binders of black and white, 4" x 3" prints and a one-volume index. The index lists the images by roll and exposure number, and by unique image number. Also included is the date the photograph was taken and a very specific description of the image; for example, photograph #1165, roll 47, exposure 14, taken on July 2, 1961 in the PM is described as "W side McCarter look[ing] NW from SE cor[ner] Edison PL." The type of film used is sometimes noted.

Most of the photographs are street scenes of residential, commercial, and industrial sites in all sections of Newark. There are many images of old buildings, of schools, parks, cemeteries, and churches; several show buildings being demolished, and a few show historical plaques or architectural details. Some images are of Newark Airport, the Morris Canal, and railway yards and terminals. Rarely are people captured in the photographs. A number of historic buildings or sites, such as the Krueger Mansion (#25), the Oriental Masonic Temple (#15), Beulah Baptist Church (#57), the Allen African Methodist Episcopalian Church (#436), Temple B'nai Israel (#1540), Old Meeker Foundry (#1905), and the Tiffany Building (#'s 1943 and 1944) are identified.

One box containing ca. 50 metal cans of rolled 35mm black and white negative strips is stored offsite. The rolls are numbered and a few are dated. The subject-matter is similar to, and may match some or all of the prints stored in binders. The box is stored offsite.

NOTE: This collection is sometimes referred to as the Bernard Berg Photograph Collection, because Samuel Berg donated the photographs in memory of his father, Bernard.

NOTE: This collection collection has been digitized, and can be accessed at https://cdm17229.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17229coll6