A new exhibit is now open for viewing on the campus of Emporia State University giving residents a great snapshot of Emporia’s history through the eyes of one of its native sons.
“The Big Picture: Connecting with the Walter M. Anderson Collection” exhibit opened to the public inside the ESU Special Collection and Archives Department Wednesday afternoon. The exhibit features approximately 12,000 photographs and 20,000 negatives all shot by Andersen, a native Emporian and well-known photographer whose collection has been recognized as a “valuable source for historical research.”
Director of Special Collections and Archives Rebekah Curry tells KVOE News the collection is unique in comparison to other exhibits as while it focuses on Andersen it also “jumps off into other collections.”
Andersen’s passion for photography began after he was drafted into the US Army during World War II. While stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, Andersen met professional photographer Malcolm Graney who provided instruction and helped Andersen set up his darkroom on the base.
Following his time in the Army, Andersen and his wife Viola Gertrude Towle settled back in his hometown of Emporia where he worked as a train inspector while continuing to pursue photography on the side. He began to dedicate more time to his photography following his retirement in 1972 becoming a well-known and recognized photographer within the community.
For his work, Andersen was twice recognized as the Emporia Gazette’s Man of the Week in 1976 and 1991 and received a historic preservation award from Emporia Main Street in 1998. Curry says the exhibit will be available for viewing from now through August.
