New York Zoological Society. Department of Tropical Research photographs
Scope and Contents
The collection comprises more than 18,000 photographs of varying formats and sizes created by the Department of Tropical Research between 1916 and approximately 1964. The images document the DTR's field expeditions and associated research activities, with subjects including:
- * Marine and terrestrial wildlife, living and dead
- * DTR personnel in both professional and informal contexts
- * Local individuals who contributed to or supported the DTR's research activities
- * Members of local communities engaged in everyday activities
- * Research vessels, including ships and the Bathysphere, and expedition camps
- * Landscapes and marine environments
Photographic formats found in the collection include glass and film negatives, photographic prints, and lantern slides. With the exception of some hand-colored lantern slides, all images are black-and-white.
The collection covers all major DTR expeditions:
- * British Guiana expeditions, 1916–1922, 1924
- * Noma Expedition, 1923
- * Arcturus Expedition, 1925
- * Haiti Expedition, 1927
- * Bermuda expeditions, including Bathysphere research, 1929-1937
- * Zaca expeditions, 1936-1938
- * Caripito Expedition, 1942
- * Rancho Grande expeditions, 1945-1949
- * Simla expeditions, 1950-1964
Approximately 1,000 glass negatives have been digitized and are accessible online. Digitized images may be accessed through the Digital Object links in Series 1 of this finding aid.
Dates
- circa 1916-1964
Creator
- New York Zoological Society. Department of Tropical Research (Organization)
Access Restrictions
Processing of this collection is in progress; unprocessed portions may not be accessible at this time. Additionally, some items may be restricted because of condition. Please contact the WCS Archives for more information.
Usage Restrictions
Processing of this collection is in progress; unprocessed portions may have usage restrictions. Please contact the WCS Archives for more information.
Historical Note
Between 1916 and 1964, the New York Zoological Society (NYZS)’s Department of Tropical Research (DTR), led by William Beebe (1877-1962), undertook dozens of ecological expeditions across tropical terrestrial and marine locales. Conducting what is now regarded as standard ecological research, the DTR were among the first Western scientists to study the interconnectedness of tropical wildlife and their habitats through close, first-hand observations. For a general overview of the DTR’s history, refer to the Historical Note for WCS Archives Collection 1005A.
During their expeditions, the DTR generated a substantial visual record in the form of glass and film negatives, photographic prints, and lantern slides--in addition to films and illustrations held in other WCS Archives collections. The DTR's photographic output was central not only to documenting their expeditions; photographs were also important tools for communicating their findings both to technical and popular audiences, and they were widely used in publications and lectures.
Extent
Approximately 18,300 Items : Including glass and film negatives, photographic prints, and lantern slides. ; Various sizes.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Department of Tropical Research Photographs Collection comprises more than 18,000 photographs created between 1916 and approximately 1964 during scientific expeditions conducted by the Department of Tropical Research (DTR). Formats include glass and film negatives, photographic prints, and lantern slides. The images document wildlife and plants, expedition personnel, local people, research vessels and expedition camps, and landscapes and marine environments during DTR expeditions to British Guiana, the Galápagos Islands, Haiti, Bermuda, Venezuela, Trinidad, and other locations. Processing of this collection is in progress, and this finding aid will be updated as processing continues. Approximately 1,000 of the glass negatives have been digitized and are available in digital form.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by format into four series; within the series, the items are arranged into subseries by expedition. The processing of this collection is in progress; further series details will be added as processing continues.
Series 1: Glass negatives, approximately 1916-1937
- Subseries 1A
- British Guiana expeditions, 1916-1922, 1924
- Subseries 1B
- Noma Expedition, 1923
- Subseries 1C
- Arcturus Expedition, 1925
- Subseries 1D
- Haiti Expedition, 1927
- Subseries 1E
- Bermuda expeditions, 1929-1937
Series 2: Film negatives
Series 3: Photographic prints
Series 4: Lantern slides
Accession Information
Internal transfer.
Digital Copies
Approximately 1,000 glass negatives have been digitized and are accessible online. Digitized images may be accessed through the Digital Object links in Series 1 of this finding aid.
Creator
- New York Zoological Society. Department of Tropical Research (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the New York Zoological Society Department of Tropical Research Photographs Collection, circa 1916-1964
- Status
- In Progress
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Arabic
- Sponsor
- 1,000 glass negatives from this collection--covering the British Guiana, Noma, and Haiti expeditions--were digitized and made accessible online through a Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) Digitization Grant, 2025-2026.
Repository Details
Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Archives Repository