Kirk Family Photographs

Collection

Identifier: 2007.019

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Kirk photograph collection contains mainly photographs, ranging from the dates of 1894 to 1973. The photographs primarily focus on school class pictures, boats, railroads, and some scenery around the Clarksville area. The collection contains a scrapbook presumed to belong the Kirk family, but there are no names or dates listed throughout the book. In addition to the photographs, the collection contains a range of assorted materials, including a drawing of a dog from 1928, a newspaper picture of the 1920s American Legion, a 1945 membership certificate presented to Matt Kirk from the Refrigeration Service Engineers’ Society, an undated Clarksville Leaf logo, a 1961 envelope to Mrs. Kee from the American Legion Auxiliary, and a Clarksville High School class of 1942 reunion pamphlet from the reunion in 1973. This collection contains evidence on how Clarksville has evolved through the years from the eyes of the Kirk family.

Dates

1894 - 1973

Creator

Kirk, Matt (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron’s obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collection. On the back of 2007.019.036, the photograph of a man standing in Cumberland Furnace, it states “Do not publish.”

Biographical / Historical

The Kirk family were longtime residents of Clarksville. John William Kirk was a tobacconist, and was born and raised in Clarksville Tennessee. In 1895 John married Rosa Etta Street Kirk. Rosa was born in Mitchellville, Tennessee, but moved to Montgomery County at the age of ten. The Kirks had seven children, six girls; Juanita Kirk Kee, Annie Ethel Kirk Hampton, Lorine Kirk, Mary Marguerite Kirk, Myrtle C. Kirk Tresch, Katherine M. Kirk, and one boy, Matthew Kirk whom was born on April 13, 1896 and died on March 2, 1958. Matt was a refrigeration specialist by trade. His business was successful in Clarksville and ads for his business can be viewed in The Leaf Chronicle newspapers ranging from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Matt was an amateur photographer. This collection of photos are believed to have been taken primarily by Matt, but it is unclear considering the photos cover such a vast timeframe.

Extent

.208 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by date and material type. The photographs and scrapbook are housed as part of the Archives Photograph Collection while all other materials are housed as part of the Archives Special Collections. Dated photographs are followed by undated photos, positive slides, and finally the scrapbook.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Andy Hampton donated this collection to the Montgomery County Archives in 2007.

Processing Information

There was no discernable order to the collection upon receipt. The collection has been arranged by date and material type. The collection was not arranged chronologically as the subject matter covered by the photographs was varied. All images have been scanned for ease of access.

While unhousing a photograph from 1910 with an unidentified steamboat a 1945 membership certificate was unearthed. The certificate was presented to Matt Kirk from the “Refrigeration Service Engineers Society.” The certificate along with a newspaper clipping of the 1920s American Legion, and a drawing of a dog was placed in a file folder along with other assorted materials from the collection.