Finding aid for the Allen E. Cole Photographs

Biography of Allen E. Cole

biographical sketch courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

Allen E. Cole (1883-1970) was a professional photographer in the African American community of Cleveland, Ohio. He generated over 27,000 negatives during his life, a collection acquired by the Western Reserve Historical Society and selectively published in a book entitled Somebody, Somewhere, Wants Your Photograph (1980), which was Cole's business motto. The son of Allen and Sara Cole, he was born in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Cole graduated from Storer College and worked as a waiter in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and a railroad porter and cook in Cincinnati, Ohio, until he was injured in a train accident. He moved to Cleveland, worked as a waiter at the Cleveland Athletic Club, and eventually became head waiter there for over 10 years.

At the Athletic Club, Cole met Joseph Opet, manager of Frank Moore Studios, who introduced him to photography. He assisted at Opet's studios for six years, and then opened a studio in his home in 1922. When individual orders declined during the Great Depression, Cole did commercial work and commission work for eight white studios. Cole contributed photographs to the Cleveland Call and Post, and his work earned prizes at state and local exhibitions. Cole also was a founder and treasurer of the Progressive Business League, an officer of the Dunbar Life Insurance Company, a member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and was active in the Elks and Masons. For years he was the only African American member of the Cleveland Society of Professional Photographers. His wife, Frances T. Cole (1889-1979), was his assistant and business manager. Cole was buried in Highland Park Cemetery.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Allen E. Cole

Scope and Content

The Allen E. Cole Photographs, ca. 1870-1970 (bulk dates ca. 1920-1970) consist of approximately 30,000 black and white and color negatives; 6,000 black and white and color photographs; and 1 oil painting.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of the African American community in Cleveland and northeast Ohio during the twentieth century. Those interested in the career and work of Allen E. Cole will find this collection particularly useful. This collection also depicts the work of African American businessmen, businesswomen, and entrepreneurs in Cleveland. This collection will also be useful to researchers studying the work and art of African American photographers in the United States. The collection depicts people, families, businesses, and other scenes in the African American community of Cleveland. The collection also depicts cultural and religious events in Cleveland's African American community, including weddings, graduations, and other celebrations. In addition to posed studio portraits of African American individuals and families, the collection includes portraits and views of Cleveland's African American churches, church groups, businesses and businessmen, night clubs, entertainers, social events, sports and athletes, fraternal groups, veterans organizations, youth organizations, social and cultural clubs, servicemen during World War II, and schools and school children. Familial events, such as weddings and funerals, are well represented in the collection. A small number of nineteenth and early twentieth century tintypes and photographs and one oil painting are included.

Most of the identified images in this collection have been included in a searchable database.

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Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 4277 Allen E. Cole Papers.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 268 Allen E. Cole Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Acquired by the Western Reserve Historical Society in 1979.

Other Finding Aid

Most identified images from the collection are included in the WRHS genealogy index.

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Detailed Description of The Collection