This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This collection has use restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
Size | 9.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 2000 items) |
Abstract | Born in Knoxville, Tenn., on 15 July 1937, photographer Robert Bolton discovered photography in his early teens. Bolton attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in art. Shortly after graduating from college, he became art director of Hogan, Rose & Co. Inc., an advertising agency in Knoxville, Tenn. Although he remained in this professional position for the rest of his life, Bolton continued to be an avid photographer until his death in 1988. The collection consists chiefly of photographic materials spanning more than 25 years and documenting the social landscape of the eastern United States, mid 1950s-early 1980s. Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, and Louisiana are the most frequently depicted states. Individual cities frequently depicted include Washington, D.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; New York, N.Y.; Atlanta, Ga.; Raleigh, N.C.; Union Grove, N.C.; and New Orleans, La. In addition to friends and family, Bolton photographed numerous performers and artists, including Louis Armstrong, the Austin High Gang Reunion Band, Count Basie, the Beach Boys, Pappy Boyington, John Coltrane, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Bob Dylan, Bud Freeman, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Bunky Green, Ernst Haas, Billy Hart, Woody Herman, Earl Hines, Art Hodes, Jim Lanigan, Jimmy McPartland, Carmen McRae, Thelonious Monk, James Moody, Floyd O'Brien, the Original Salty Dogs, Charlie Rouse, Pee Wee Russell, Archie Shepp, Jean Simmons, Jimmy Smith, Carl Sublett, George Wein, and George Wettling. Cultural events and institutions depicted include the 1967 Asheville Folk Festival, Asheville, N.C.; the 1965 Downbeat Jazz Festival, Chicago, Ill.; the 1966 Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta, Ga.; a 1965 Bob Dylan Concert, Knoxville, Tenn.; the Free Southern Theater, New Orleans, La., 1965; the Guggenheim Museum, New York, N.Y.; the Museum of Modern Art, New York, N.Y.; the 1964 New York World's Fair; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; the Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival, Union Grove, N.C., 1966-1972; and WNOX Radio station in Knoxville, Tenn. Frequently depicted subjects include airports, animals, artists, buildings, cars, car races, children, concerts, fairs, festivals, highways, horse shows, motorcycles, motorcyclists, museums, musicians, race cars, restaurants, stores, televisions, theatrical performances, and train stations. Moving image materials include 8mm-motion picture reels depicting Sports Car Club of America auto races. Also included are Bolton's drawings in charcoal, pencil, ink, and gouache chiefly created at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1959-1964, and some collages created using photographic transfers and an oil painting. |
Creator | Bolton, Robert, 1937-1988. |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection. |
Language | English |
Processed by: Kirston Johnson, October 2006
Encoded by: Kirston Johnson, December 2006
Updated by: Nancy Kaiser, February 2021; Dawne Howard Lucas, March 2022
Back to TopThe following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
Born in Knoxville, Tenn., on 15 July 1937, photographer Robert Bolton discovered photography in his early teens. Bolton attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in art. During his college years, drawing and painting were Bolton's main creative output; however, he continued to develop his photographic skills by working as photographer for the school newspaper and by extensively photographing his subjects before beginning a new portrait.
Shortly after graduating from college, Robert Bolton became art director of Hogan, Rose & Co. Inc., an advertising agency in Knoxville, Tenn. Although he remained in this professional position for the rest of his life, Bolton continued to be an avid photographer until his death in 1988. Bolton resided in Knoxville, Tenn., for most of his life, but he frequently traveled throughout the eastern United States photographing people, places, and cultural events along the way. During his lifetime, Bolton photographed everything from common street scenes found in and around many southern cities to major cultural gatherings, such as the Downbeat Jazz Festival in Chicago, Ill., and the Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival in Union Grove, N.C.
Back to TopThe Robert Bolton Collection consists chiefly of photographic materials spanning more than 25 years and documenting the social landscape of the eastern United States from the mid 1950s through the early 1980s. Bolton's photographs examine everything from common street scenes found in and around many southern cities during the 1960s to cultural gatherings, such as the Downbeat Jazz festival in Chicago, Ill. and the Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival in Union Grove, N.C. In addition, Bolton photographed numerous performers including Bob Dylan, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, and many others. Other materials included in the collection are 8mm films depicting Sports Car Club of America auto races from 1960 to 1961 and drawings and paintings created between 1959 and 1967.
Photographic materials comprise the bulk of the Robert Bolton Collection. Materials include 35mm black and white negatives with a small amount of color negatives, black and white photographic prints, black and white contact prints, and 35mm color slides. Robert Bolton was meticulous in labeling and dating his negatives; therefore, his descriptive titles have, for the most part, been retained.
Mant differnent geographic locations are represented in the photographic materials. Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, and Louisiana are the most frequently depicted states. Other locations include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Toronto, Canada. Individual cities frequently depicted include Washington, D.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; New York, N.Y.; Atlanta, Ga.; Raleigh, N.C.; Union Grove, N.C.; and New Orleans, La.
In addition to friends and family, Robert Bolton also photographed numerous known musicians and artists. Artists and performers represented in the materials include Louis Armstrong, the Austin High Gang Reunion Band, Count Basie, the Beach Boys, Pappy Boyington, John Coltrane, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Bob Dylan, Bud Freeman, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Bunky Green, Ernst Haas, Billy Hart, Woody Herman, Earl Hines, Art Hodes, Jim Lanigan, Jimmy McPartland, Carmen McRae, Thelonious Monk, James Moody, Floyd O'Brien, the Original Salty Dogs, Charlie Rouse, Pee Wee Russell, Archie Shepp, Jean Simmons, Jimmy Smith, Carl Sublett, George Wein, and George Wettling.
Cultural events and institutions depicted in the photographic materials include: the 1967 Asheville Folk Festival, Asheville, N.C.; the 1965 Downbeat Jazz Festival, Chicago, Ill.; the 1966 Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta, Ga.; a 1965 Bob Dylan Concert, Knoxville, Tenn.; the Free Southern Theater, New Orleans, La., 1965; the Guggenheim Museum, New York, N.Y.; the Museum of Modern Art, New York, N.Y.; the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Frank H. McClung Museum; the Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival, Union Grove, N.C., 1966-1972; and WNOX Radio station, Knoxville, Tenn.
Subjects frequently depicted in the photographic materials include: airports; animals; artists; buildings; cars; car races; children; concerts; fairs; festivals; highways; horse shows; motorcycles; motorcyclists; museums; musicians; race cars; restaurants; stores; televisions; theatrical performances; and train stations.
Moving image materials include five 8mm motion picture reels depicting Sports Car Club of America auto races. Geographic locations depicted include Florida, Kentucky, and Alabama.
Pictures consist of Robert Bolton's drawings in charcoal, pencil, ink, and gouache chiefly created while he was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in art from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1959-1964. Also included are some collages created using photographic transfers and an oil painting. Materials primarily depict individual portraits.
Back to TopArrangement: chronological.
Arrangement: Note that the creator's descriptive titles have, for the most part, been retained.
Restrictions: Access to negatives is available with special staff assistance except for materials as noted below that are CLOSED to research until 1 January 2037.
35mm negatives in 36 frame sleeves. Negatives are chiefly black and white. Image Folder P-20408/39 contains some color negatives.
Arrangement: Note that the creator's descriptive titles have, for the most part, been retained. Titles of prints and print groups are derived from the corresponding negative title.
CLOSED: Materials as noted below CLOSED to research until 1 January 2037.
Image Folder PF-20408/40 |
Unidentified woman, 1 April 1957, b&w print, roughly 5x3. |
Image Folder PF-20408/41 |
Unidentified woman, August 1957, b&w prints, 2 roughly 5x3. |
Image Folder PF-20408/42 |
Dot and Robby Bolton, 27 July 1958, b&w print, roughly 5x3. |
Image Folder PF-20408/43 |
Dot, Pittsburgh, Pa., December 1959, b&w prints, 2 roughly 5x3. |
Image Folder PF-20408/44 |
Susan Claire Petree, November 1960, b&w print, roughly 5x7. |
Image Folder PF-20408/45 |
Helen Lennon, 17-19 August 1961, b&w prints, 22 roughly 5x3, 4 roughly 7x5. |
Image Folder PF-20408/46 |
Jean Simmons filming A Death in the Family, 1962, b&w prints, 7 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/47 |
Lonna, 1962, b&w prints, 6 roughly 3x5, 1 roughly 4x7, 7 roughly 5x7. |
Image Folder PF-20408/48-49
PF-20408/48PF-20408/49 |
New York City, 15-19 July 1962, b&w prints, 35 roughly 5x7.Photographs include people and street scenes; museums, interior and exterior. |
Image Folder PF-20408/50 |
Nudes, 14 October 1962, b&w prints, 17 roughly 4x5.CLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/51-53
PF-20408/51PF-20408/52PF-20408/53 |
New York City; New Jersey, July 1963, b&w prints, 76 roughly 4x6.Photographs include people and street scenes; beach scenes; park scenes; and museums, interior and exterior. |
Image Folder PF-20408/54 |
Light Fixtures in an old house on E. 5th Ave. due for destruction, 1964, b&w prints, 3 roughly 6x9. |
Image Folder PF-20408/55 |
Snow Studies, January 1964, b&w print, roughly 6x9. |
Image Folder PF-20408/56 |
Nudes, 22 January 1964, b&w prints, 5 roughly 4x5, 1 roughly 8x10.CLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/57 |
Helen Ottoway and Black Cat, 18 February 1964, b&w prints, 2 roughly 5x7, 12 roughly 5x9. |
Image Folder PF-20408/58 |
Helen Lennon at Tennessee Preparatory School, Nashville, Tenn., 22-23 February 1964, b&w prints, 3 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/59-60
PF-20408/59PF-20408/60 |
Nudes, 22-23 February 1964, b&w prints, 4 roughly 8x10, 3 roughly 4x5.CLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/61 |
Tree at Carl Sublett's, 14 March 1964, b&w print, roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/62-68
PF-20408/62PF-20408/63PF-20408/64PF-20408/65PF-20408/66PF-20408/67PF-20408/68 |
New York City, August 1964, b&w prints, 98 roughly 5x7, 4 roughly 8x10.Photographs include people and street scenes; park scenes; and museums, interior and exterior. Photographs P-20408/283-286 and P-20408/314 are digital prints from original negatives. |
Image Folder PF-20408/69-72
PF-20408/69PF-20408/70PF-20408/71PF-20408/72 |
Horse Show, Chilhowee Park, 24 September 1964, b&w prints, 68 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/73-74
PF-20408/73PF-20408/74 |
Nudes, October 1964, b&w prints, 7 roughly 8x10.CLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/75 |
John Mulvaney and Mary, March 1965, b&w print, roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/76 |
Hammett Murphey with Motorcycle, New Orleans, 19 June 1965, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/77 |
Free Southern Theater Rehearsals, New Orleans, 19 June 1965, b&w prints, 10 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/78 |
Downbeat Jazz Festival, Chicago, Ill., 14-16 August 1965, b&w prints, 12 roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits of Count Basie, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Pee Wee Russell, and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Photographs P-20408/411-416 are digital prints from original negatives. |
Image Folder PF-20408/79 |
Sharon Adams near Vine Avenue, 19 September 1965, b&w print, roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/80 |
Bob Dylan Concert, Knoxville, Tenn., 8 October 1965, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Digital print from original negative. |
Image Folder PF-20408/81 |
The Vestal Children, 27 March 1966, b&w print, roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/82 |
Skydiving, Morristown Airport, 24 April 1966, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Female Portrait. |
Image Folder PF-20408/83 |
Atlanta Jazz Festival, 29 May 1966, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits of Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, and George Wein. Digital prints from original negatives. |
Image Folder PF-20408/84 |
Carl Sublett and Rick S., 10 July 1966, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Digital print from original negative. |
Image Folder PF-20408/85 |
Vine Avenue, Knoxville, Tenn., August 1966, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Digital print from original negative. |
Image Folder PF-20408/86 |
Sally Beardsley, August 1966, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/87 |
Sally Beardsley, 18 August 1966, b&w prints, 3 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/88 |
Cemetery, New Orleans, September 1966, b&w print, roughly 5x7.Digital print from original negative. |
Image Folder PF-20408/89 |
Arcade, New Orleans, September 1966, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Digital print from original negative. |
Image Folder PF-20408/90-96
PF-20408/90PF-20408/91PF-20408/92PF-20408/93PF-20408/94PF-20408/95PF-20408/96 |
Clinton Horse Show, 7 October 1967, b&w prints, 44 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/97 |
North Carolina Highways, November 1967, b&w prints, 13 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/98 |
Charlotte, N.C., November 1967, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10.Photographs include Salvation Army workers, a man on a telephone pole, and billboards. Photograph P-20408/491 is a digital print from an original negative. |
Image Folder PF-20408/99 |
Atlanta, Ga., 1968, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits of women, museum visitors, museum interiors, and works of art. |
Oversize Image Folder OP-PF-20408/1 |
Sharon Adams and Leslie Connoly, June 1968, b&w print, roughly 14x20. |
Image Folder PF-20408/100 |
Gatlinburg, Tenn., August 1968, b&w prints, 18 roughly 8x10.Photographs include street scenes; portraits of men, women, and children; cars; crafts; buildings; and billboards. |
Image Folder PF-20408/101 |
Vine Avenue, Knoxville, Tenn., August 1968, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Portrait of African American woman and child. |
Image Folder PF-20408/102 |
Housing Projects, Atlanta, Ga., August 1968, b&w prints, 5 roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits of African American children. |
Image Folder PF-20408/103 |
Atlanta, Ga., August 1968, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10.Photographs include cars, children, dogs, buildings, and billboards. |
Image Folder PF-20408/104 |
Raleigh, N.C., August 1968, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Photograph includes a dog jumping and in mid-air. |
Image Folder PF-20408/105 |
Wilmington, Del., to Washington, D.C., via Train through Baltimore, August 1968, b&w prints, 10 roughly 8x10.Photographs include scenes of train stations and landscapes viewed from a train window. |
Image Folder PF-20408/106 |
Washington, D.C., August 1968, b&w prints, 14 roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits, street scenes, airplanes, and museum visitors with museum pieces. |
Image Folder PF-20408/107 |
New York City, August 1968, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10.Photographs include people and street scenes. |
Image Folder PF-20408/108-111
PF-20408/108PF-20408/109PF-20408/110PF-20408/111 |
Atlanta, Ga., 14 September 1968, b&w prints, 6 roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits of men and women. |
Image Folder PF-20408/112 |
Zoo, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 28 September 1968, 12 b&w prints, roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits of Jim Newby and an elephant with its trainer. |
Image Folder PF-20408/113 |
29 September 1968, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Portrait of a woman sitting in front of a building. |
Image Folder PF-20408/114 |
Gatlinburg, Tenn., 29 September 1968, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Photograph includes a car with a woman inside ordering food at a drive-in restaurant. Labeled "Lonely," this is the only image Robert Bolton titled. |
Image Folder PF-20408/115 |
The Sherril Stables, 29 September 1968, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Photograph of a stable and horse's head. |
Image Folder PF-20408/116 |
Misenheimer, N.C., October 1968, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10.Photographs of children with guns. |
Image Folder PF-20408/117 |
October 1968, b&w prints, 3 roughly 8x10.Photographs include highway scenes with runners and trucks. |
Image Folder PF-20408/118 |
North Carolina, October 1968, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Photograph of a woman holding a child at a drive-in restaurant. |
Image Folder PF-20408/119 |
Sharon and Shirley, New Market, 20 October 1968, b&w print, roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/120 |
Auction, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1969, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/121 |
Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1969, b&w prints, 9 roughly 8x10.Photographs include portraits of Sharon Adams and friends on a front porch, a horse carcass, and a waitress on the telephone in a diner. |
Image Folder PF-20408/122 |
Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival, Union Grove, N.C., 4 April 1969, b&w prints, 16 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/123 |
Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival, Union Grove, N.C., 5 April 1969, b&w prints, 4 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/124 |
Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival, Union Grove, N.C., 6 April 1969, b&w prints, 12 roughly 8x10. |
Image Folder PF-20408/125 |
Knoxville, Tenn., to Florida; Panama City, Fla., July 1969, b&w print, roughly 8x10.Photograph of a highway scene. |
Image Folder PF-20408/126 |
Art work by Robert Bolton, undated, b&w Polaroid prints, 7 roughly 3x5.Photographs include reproduction of Robert Bolton's two-dimensional art work, including charcoal drawings and etchings. |
Oversize Image Folder OP-PF-20408/2 |
Nudes, undated, b&w print, roughly 9x12.CLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/127-134
PF-20408/127PF-20408/128PF-20408/129PF-20408/130PF-20408/131PF-20408/132PF-20408/133PF-20408/134 |
Nudes, undated, b&w prints, 190 roughly 5x7, 93 roughly 3x5.CLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/135 |
Unidentified Women, undated, b&w prints, 2 roughly 3x5. |
Oversize Image Folder OP-PF-20408/3 |
Unidentified Woman, undated, b&w print, roughly 9x13. |
Image Folder PF-20408/136 |
Unidentified, undated, b&w prints, 2 roughly 8x10.Photographs include a dog and a building. |
Image Box IB-20408/13-14
IB-20408/13IB-20408/14 |
Closed materials |
Arrangement: Note that the creator's descriptive titles have, for the most part, been retained.
CLOSED: Materials as noted below CLOSED to research until 1 January 2037 (P-20408/139-140).
Image Folder PF-20408/137 |
1962: July-September |
Image Folder PF-20408/138 |
1964: March-August |
Image Folder PF-20408/139 |
1964: OctoberCLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/140 |
1964: November-DecemberCLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Image Folder PF-20408/141 |
1965: June-August |
Oversize Image Folder OP-PF-20408/4 |
1965: 14-15 August |
Image Folder PF-20408/142 |
1966: January-March |
Image Folder PF-20408/143 |
1966: April-May |
Image Folder PF-20408/144 |
1966: July-September |
Image Folder PF-20408/145 |
1967: May-August |
Image Folder PF-20408/146 |
1967: September-December |
Image Folder PF-20408/147 |
1968: May-June |
Image Folder PF-20408/148 |
1968: July |
Image Folder PF-20408/149 |
1968: August-December |
Image Folder PF-20408/150 |
1969: April-September |
Image Folder PF-20408/151 |
1970: April-September |
Image Folder PF-20408/152 |
1971: April-August |
Image Folder PF-20408/153 |
1975: April-August |
Image Box IB-20408/13-14
IB-20408/13IB-20408/14 |
Closed materials |
Arrangement: chronological. Note that the creator's descriptive titles have, for the most part, been retained.
Color 8mm motion picture reels depicting Sports Car Club of America car races located in Florida, Kentucky, and Alabama.
Film F-20408/1 |
Sports Car Club of America Races, Daytona Beach, Fla., 26 June 1960 (2 of 2). Missing reel one. |
Film F-20408/2 |
Sports Car Club of America Races, Louisville, Ky., 21 August 1960 (1 of 2). |
Film F-20408/3 |
Sports Car Club of America Races, Louisville, Ky., 21 August 1960 (2 of 2). |
Film F-20408/4 |
Sports Car Club of America Races, Courtland, Ala., 2 July 1961. |
Film F-20408/5 |
Nudes, undated.CLOSED until 1 January 2037 |
Arrangement: chronological.
Bolton's drawings in charcoal, pencil, ink, and gouache chiefly created while he was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in art, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1959-1964. Also included are some collages created using photographic transfers and an oil painting. Materials are primarily individual portraits.