William B. Gresham, Jr. Letter with Map of Early Demopolis (photocopy)

This collection contains manuscripts, research notes and documents, and photographs collected by Winston Smith of Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama relating to the early history of Demopolis and the surrounding areas, early photographers, as well as his own family heritage. The manuscripts are handwritten and in most cases (as best can be determined) are complete. The research notes and documents include notes for unpublished works and for works never intended for publication. Winston Smith appears to have been fascinated with turn-of-the-century (early 1900s) architecture, both residential and industrial as indicated by a large collection of business letters where the letterheads include an engraving of the factory or store.

There are also several sale catalogs from Cather & Brown, Birmingham, Alabama as well as an accounts record book of Henry Tutwiler’s Green Springs Academy, 1852 – 1864.

There are many photographs as well as several tintypes, daguerreotypes (including one silver on copper), and ambrotypes.