The library holds over 25,000 images from more than a dozen Plainfield-area photographers whose works are of significant historical value. Different in content, significance, and chronological coverage, together they form a rare continuum of local history. All are black & white images unless otherwise noted.
To view one or more of our collections, click here.
The Guillermo Thorn Photographs. Born in 1837, Thorn died in 1920. His photographs depict Plainfield at its earliest, e.g. the Babcock building before the fire. All 81 images are viewable on the library's website. Other Thorn images are in the collection of the Historical Society of Plainfield and the Nancy Thompson Library of Kean University.
The Reina Lawrence Photographs. Lawrence was born in New York City in 1869, moved to Plainfield in 1882, and died here in 1949. For most of her life she was confined to a wheelchair. Despite her disability, she was able to photograph the interiors and gardens of many Plainfield homes. Her still-lifes of flowers and posed men and women are striking.
The John Hoffman Photographs. Born in Califon, NJ in 1874, Hoffman moved to Plainfield as a boy. His photos depict the exteriors of the structures and yards in early Plainfield. Hoffman was a telegrapher and inventor, who tinkered with most of his cameras to improve the quality of the photos or make the cameras easier to use. He designed a device to bolt two cameras together to take dual stereopticon photos. He died in 1942.
The Paul R. Collier Photographs are some of Plainfield's most well-known images, containing views of local homes, landmarks, churches, businesses and community activities. Collier was a prolific photographer who documented the Plainfield area for 40 years. He worked for the Plainfield Courier News and did private work for insurance documentation. In the late1990's, the library's collection of 175 Collier images grew sizably with a donation of about 14,000 glass plates and nitrate negatives. All glass plates have been conserved and printed. Prints are generated from the nitrates as funding permits.
The Lloyd Grimstead Photographs of Plainfield houses are part of a larger collection of photographs of houses in other area towns owned by the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society. Born in 1885, The Plainfield images cover a large portion of the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District. He died in 1976.
The Howard Johnston Photographs. An Assistant Engineer with Union County, Johnston was a railroad and trolley buff. He was born in 1908 and died in Plainfield in 1964.
The Irving & Clotee Georges Photographs. This collection of color prints was taken by Irving Georges, an amateur photographer who lived in Plainfield. His images document the city's African American residents in the late 1960's, 1970's and 80's. The collection highlights adults and youth engaged in athletics, community events, and everyday activities.
The T. J. Lowe Photographs owned by the library are a small part of the work of this City firefighter. The main collection of thousands of photographs of fires and firefighters is still housed at the Fire Division headquarters.
The Library owns an additional 300 photographs of Plainfield and New Jersey from the turn of the century to the early 1960s, taken by miscellaneous photographers, known and unknown. Included is a set of photographs of the early mayors of Plainfield.
To inquire about fees for the reproduction of photographs, please contact Local History at 908-757-1111 ext. 136.
