UNO Retrospective Photograph Exhibit Collection

The UNO Retrospective Photograph Exhibit comprises 28 matted photographs depicting the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus as it appeared in 1987 compared with earlier decades. The exhibit was created by Mike Sherer, associate professor of photojournalism in the Department of Communication (1986-7 employee directory), working closely Les Valentine, University Archivist. Valentine selected from University Archives thirty photographs dating back into the 1930s, and Sherer studied the photographs to determine the exact location from which they were taken. George Money, retired assistant director of UNO Plant Management, assisted with determining and gaining access to the locations. In the summer of 1987, Sherer, accompanied by Valentine, took new photographs from the same locations to illustrate the passage of time. The original and re-created photographs were displayed in conjunction with the 1987-1988 Celebrate UNO events. For the exhibit, 28 total photographs were selected. The original photographs were printed from the original 4" x 5" negatives held within the UNO Photograph Collection, while the contemporary photographs were created with a 4" x 5" camera. The prints are black and white, 8" x 11", matted to 14" x 17".

Sherer expressed the hope that 50 years hence (circa 2037-2038), someone will retrace the steps and create a new set of photographs.

Source: McMahan, Tim. "Professor recaptures the past with photo project." Gateway (Omaha, NE). Nov. 3, 1987.