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Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce visual arts materials

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.VIS167

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of images of geographic locations in the Metropolitan Atlanta region, and several events, most probably used in promotional material published by the Chamber. The majority of the photographs are aerial views of the city, as well as Atlanta landmarks, and commercial and government buildings. The identity of the photographers who produced the images has not been determined. This collection also contains four films produced by the Chamber. They depict Atlanta's first professional soccer team, the Atlanta Chiefs; economic development during the early 1970s; Atlanta's African American population and housing; and Atlanta scenes during the 1970s, particularly around Peachtree Street.

Dates

  • 1922-1993, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Biographical / Historical

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce is a private, independent organization founded in 1866 by local business leaders. Originally known as the Atlanta Board of Trade, the organization sought to lower freight rates for the region and to promote direct trade with European nations without having to ship to Northern ports. In 1893, the Chamber organized the Cotton States and International Exposition, which was held two years later at Piedmont Park. Alongside the Retail Merchants Association, the Chamber created the Southeastern Fair Association, which organized fairs from 1916 until 1933. In 1908, the Chamber raised $1.5 million dollars for sewage disposal, water works, and the creation of Grady Hospital, a crematory, and new public schools. In an effort to improve transportation, the Chamber raised money to construct the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in 1975.

Members of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce include business leaders in the Atlanta metropolitan region; prominent members have included Delta Air Lines, Georgia Pacific, the American Cancer Society, the United Parcel Service (UPS), the Intercontinental Hotels Group, The Home Depot, and GE Energy. The Chamber is governed by a board of directors, and employs staff and volunteers to facilitate its efforts, which generally consist of promoting business development, improving the business climate of the region, and assisting with the management and growth of the metropolitan area. Examples of more recent Chamber activities include implementing two "Forward Atlanta" campaigns to attract business, promoting direct international flights through the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, working with other Atlanta area chambers to promote economic development, and assisting the city of Atlanta in securing the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The Chamber's headquarters has been relocated several times, and in 2008 was moved to 235 Andrew Young International Boulevard.

Extent

1074 item(s) (928 color slides, 102 black and white negatives, 40 black and white photographic prints, and four color films)

Language

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by titles supplied by staff.

System of Arrangement

This collection is arranged into three series. Series I: Georgraphic Locations; Series II: Events and People; and Series III: Films.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Patrons who want access to the films listed must use the digital copies available at http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/

Many of the items are located in cold storage (CS) as indicated in the descriptive inventory. Patrons must allow 24 hours after retrieval of cold storage item(s) before viewing material.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1978, with subsequent additions

Related Materials

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce records, MSS 1077, Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center

General

Digitization of the films in this collection is made possible by a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation. Access to digitized films is available at http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/

Content Advisory

This collection contains original unedited versions of all content. Some material may contain depictions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There may be instances of racist language and depictions. These items are presented as part of the historical record for the purpose of education and research. The viewpoints expressed in this collection do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers.

Bias in Description

As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information. We choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not accurately convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. In working with this collection, we often re-use language used by the former owners of the material. This language provides context but often includes bias and prejudices reflective of the time in which it was created. The Kenan Research Center’s work is ongoing to implement reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete.

Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or descriptions, please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2022.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce visual arts materials
Author
Kate Daly
Date
July 2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/
Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040