Allen E. Cole (b.1883 d.1970)

The photograph collection at the Western Reserve Historical Society consists of nearly 30,000 negatives, 6000 original prints, 4 16mm films, and an oil painting. A popular photographer, this work documents mid-twentieth century African American life, history and culture from 1919 until his retirement in 1969. The Western Reserve Historical Society acquired the collection in 1979.