Photographs, Negatives, and Slides, circa 1920s, 1965, 1968-1987 and undated

Chesley amassed a large number of photographs and slides in his research; he took some of the pictures in his travels, while other photographs accompanied the returned questionnaires. Many of the photographs were sent to Chesley as a part of the research for the "National List."Jack Neeson, who identified and photographed numerous theatres in the eastern United States, assisted Chesley. The photographs and slides were used for teaching purposes and to accompany articles on theatre preservation. The images serve as a lasting, permanent record of theatres and performance halls that were rapidly disappearing.

Materials have been separated according to format and size. Slides are organized in a binder, have been given a corresponding number, and are alphabetically listed by state, city, and theatre name.

Photographs and negatives are placed together in folders organized alphabetically by state. Within each folder, envelopes containing photographs and slides are organized by city and then by theatre name. Oversized photographs have been placed in a separate box and are organized as well by state, city, and theatre name.