The main camera collection, which is on display, consists of over 150 individual donations. Periodically, we pull cameras from the main collection to form a temporary display of like cameras, such as spy cameras or WWII cameras.
David Schwartz began collecting over 40 years ago. His enthusiasm for photography was the driving force behind what is now a very significant collection spanning the history of photography. His cameras came from many different sources, but they were all gathered with an understanding of how important they were to the history of photography. Unfortunately he could not preserve and display his collection forever. The collection needed a way to carry on through time and stay open to the public. Now the Camera Heritage Museum is taking over the responsibility of showing his collection with a plan to expand the collection and improve its display.
Through the generous cooperation of the staff of the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Mark Tullos, Director: Lee Gray, Curator and Jaymie Lafleur, Registrar: the Camera Heritage Museum was able to acquire the A. Lewis Bernard Vintage Camera Collection of over 900 cameras, accessories and images on January 10, 2012. We are extremely pleased with this collection and hope to have it included in our displays soon. We also would like to thank Wilson Trucking of Fishersville, Va for volunteering their services in making the transfer to Va possible.
Jim McLeod started his photography hobby as the high school photographer in Grandview, Missouri where he took pictures for the local newspaper and school yearbooks. He started collecting Kodak Brownie Cameras in 1995 while on an antique trip with his wife as something to do. He found a book that said there had been some 60 different Kodak Brownie’s built and decided he could collect all of those. During his collecting, he was able to identify approximately 700 different models and collected at least one of every type, which amounted to over 400 different cameras manufactured in 7 different countries, including several rare ones built in Germany during WWII before the US got involved. His collection even grew larger than Kodak’s collection. While collecting Brownies, he also acquired over 1000 pieces of Kodak Memorabilia, which were added to the collection given to the Museum. He became a member of an international Brownie Club and wrote articles for their magazine, and his collection is probably considered in the top 10 Kodak Brownie Collections in the world.
You may have the camera we are looking for.
There are around 40,000 different cameras list in McKeown's catalog so our collection has a long way to go.
Your collection may be a major boost to the museum.
We are still small. We do not have the resources to try to match the many years that have been dedicated to so many existing collections.
Don't let your cameras be lost.
We are structured to preserve cameras much longer than a single lifetime so our cameras will be preserved in perpetuity.
We have listed our policy and gift agreements below so that you will understand what we can and will do.