Unlocking the Past: Preserving the Stories Behind William Brewster’s Glass Plates

At the Museum of American Bird Art (MABA), critical work is underway to preserve and digitize an extraordinary collection of glass plate photo negatives by famed ornithologist William Brewster. This intricate project is in the capable hands of Hannah McIsaac, a second-year PhD student at Boston University specializing in 17th-century Dutch art. With her experience in museums, libraries, and birding, Hannah brings a unique perspective and expertise to the painstaking task of cataloging Brewster’s fragile collection. 

Cataloging a Historic Collection 

William Brewster, the first president of Mass Audubon and a renowned conservationist, left behind an invaluable collection of approximately 2,000 glass plate negatives, taken between 1892 and 1905. These plates not only document Brewster’s ornithological fieldwork but also offer a glimpse into his life and times at the turn of the century. Thanks to the generous support of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, all 2,000+ plates have been digitized. Now, Hannah is working to carefully catalog the collection by transcribing the handwritten labels and meticulously describing the visual content of each photograph. 

This work is more than just data entry. The plates are fragile, and Brewster’s handwritten notes—often filled with abbreviations and condensed script—are a challenge to decipher. Hannah’s attention to detail ensures that each photograph’s historical context is preserved, including early photography techniques, changing bird names, and glimpses of Massachusetts landscapes 125 years ago. 

The Man Behind the Lens: William Brewster 

Brewster’s name is synonymous with early American ornithology and conservation. He served as Mass Audubon’s first president from 1896 until his death in 1913 and was the first curator of ornithology at Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. His love for birds and photography led him to capture images of the wildlife, habitats, and landscapes of New England—primarily in Cambridge and Concord, MA, where he owned a large estate known today as Brewster’s Woods Wildlife Sanctuary. His collection also includes images from his travels, such as tranquil sunsets on Lake Umbagog and moments from his trip through Europe. 

The collection provides insight into Brewster’s work and personal life, blending scientific observation with his own appreciation of nature’s beauty. Hannah’s task of documenting these images is essential to keeping Brewster’s legacy, and Mass Audubon’s history, alive. 

A Day in the Life of Cataloging Brewster's Legacy 

Hannah spends about 10 hours a week at the fine art storage facility, working through dozens of boxes of glass plates. Each slide must be carefully handled, placed on a lightbox, and reviewed alongside its corresponding digitized image. On an average day, Hannah catalogs around 25-30 slides, transcribing both Brewster’s notes and her own observations about the photograph’s content. And she wasn’t always this fast, “I was definitely able to move more quickly as I went along.” she shared. It’s a meticulous process, especially when Brewster’s handwritten notes include cryptic abbreviations or when a scientific bird name has changed since his time. But once she began to learn the visual language, Hannah’s work picked up. 

The work has its rewards. Occasionally, Hannah stumbles upon a photo taken just for Brewster’s own enjoyment—a picturesque landscape or a quiet moment with his dog. These glimpses into Brewster’s personal life add richness to the collection, revealing not just the scientist, but the man behind the lens. 

The Impact of Preservation 

Since starting the project in April, Hannah has cataloged over 1,000 glass plates, with the goal of completing the collection by the end of the year. Her work is vital to ensuring that this historic resource remains accessible for generations to come. In many cases, the plates have cracked over the past century, and some have lost their identifying labels. By digitizing not only the images but also the information associated with them, Mass Audubon preserves both the photographs and the context in which they were taken. 

This project closely supports Mass Audubon’s mission to protect the natural world and educate people about its value. Once completed, the digitized collection will be available to the public, providing researchers, ornithologists, historians, and art enthusiasts with valuable insight into New England’s natural history and William Brewster’s contributions to ornithology. 

Looking Ahead 

As Hannah’s work nears completion, the collection will soon be accessible for public viewing. In the meantime, visitors can explore a selection of Brewster’s photographs already available online. 

Having outgrown the museum’s original gallery location in Canton MA, MABA will be moving its exhibition space to Brewster’s Woods Wildlife Sanctuary in historic Concord.  By supporting this project, you help preserve Mass Audubon’s rich history and ensure that future generations can continue to learn from Brewster’s legacy. 

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