Accidents, Fires, Openings, and Demolitions: News Negatives from the Larry Hart Collection

Police officers at scene of accident at intersection of Washington Avenue and bridge to Scotia, October 1956. A truck had collided with the traffic light stanchion. From Larry Hart Collection.

Larry Hart, Schenectady city and county historian, was also a long-time reporter and photographer for the local newspapers the Schenectady Union-Star and the Schenectady Gazette. Among his collection of personal papers are a number of photographic negatives that Hart had labeled "news negatives." Many of these photographs were taken during the late 1940s and early 1950s. They capture brief moments in Schenectady's history that might not be found elsewhere, such as accidents and fires, store openings, groundbreakings and building dedications, anniversary events, strikes, building demolitions, road construction, and storms. Below are just a few images from this collection of negatives.

Workmen inside the Hamilton Street Synagogue during the building's 1952 remodeling. The building was razed in 1960. From Larry Hart Collection.

Shoppers line up outside the Central Market on Eastern Avenue on the store's opening day in 1949. From Larry Hart Collection.

Fire at Stein's Food Market on State Street, 1955. From Larry Hart Collection.

View of Dutchman's Village homes on Nott Street, 1949. From Larry Hart Collection.

Shoppers throng to the cash registers at the Empire Market on Crane Street on the store's opening day in 1950. From Larry Hart Collection.

CIO Hall on Liberty Street in 1947. The building was razed in 1955. From Larry Hart Collection.  

Store window at Hall's Drugstore, 233 State Street, in 1950. From Larry Hart Collection.