The Industrial Archives & Library (IAL) proudly announces receipt by donation of the photographic and film work of world-renowned railroad photographer and author, the late Michael A. Eagleson. Eagleson’s unique collection spans more than 60 years, and is noteworthy in that it helps document the fading of the steam locomotive from the American railroad scene, and eventually that same gradual surrender to more modern locomotive technologies around the world.
Trained in graphic design at New York’s Parsons School of Design, Eagleson, established his own graphics firm, The Corporate Image, which did major work for many of New Jersey’s premier pharmaceutical companies. In addition to Eagleson’s professional career he authored a column for Railroad Magazine entitled “In Search of Steam,” which informed readers worldwide about the history of steam locomotives. During college he worked as an agent for the Erie Lackawanna, and later as a fireman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey. His interest in trains was even extended to briefly working for Lionel Corporation.
Eagleson is survived by his wife, Florence, and his daughter, Catherine. “It is through their generosity and desire to share his works with researchers and historians that this one-of-a-kind collection now has a permanent home here in Bethlehem, Pa.,” said Stephen G. Donches, President & CEO of the Industrial Archives & Library. “We are very honored to care for this incredible collection and to be able to preserve the amazing visual legacy of Mike Eagleson for future generations,” Donches said.
Nick Zmijewski, Archivist at IAL said, “When I initially heard that Mike’s collection needed a temporary home after his passing while the family decided its future, we volunteered to store it at IAL as the significance and quality of his work is widely known in the railroad enthusiast community. Having now gone through a small fraction of the collection as a pilot project, the quality of Eagleson’s work is incredibly high and we look forward to making the material accessible to the wider public.
“While Eagleson was primarily known for his steam work, there are also numerous examples of quality photographs in the collection that were taken during his time working for the Erie Lackawanna and the Jersey Central that show operations during those times as well. We also already have had several requests for Mike’s work from authors that knew him over the years and for materials that dovetail with our other collections, such as his photos taken of Blue Coal’s operations at Wanamie, Pa.” Zmijewski concluded.
Due to the large volume of material and its many different formats that range from photographic negatives, color slides and other transparencies, prints and contact sheets, and many miles of motion pictures in a variety of sizes, it is expected that this collection will take several years of preparation and processing to become fully accessible for research. Portions of the collection are well described, and some materials may be requested directly by telephone at 610-868-1115, or by email at info@industrialarchives.org. Finding aids and digital collections will be updated as processing work continues to advance. Updates will be made to a highlight page on this collection at www.industrialarchives.org.
The Eagleson collection also will be the subject of a presentation by Nick Zmijewski, Archivist – Industrial Archives & Library on January 30 at 6:00 p.m., entitled In Search of the Wanamie Colliery: A Journey Through the Lens of Michael A. Eagleson at Alvernia University–Pottsville Towne Campus (500 Progress Ave., Pottsville, PA)
