Michigan Arts & Culture

Traverse City's photographic memory

Interlochen Public Radio | By Daniel Wanschura

Published January 5, 2017 at 6:29 PM EST

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Photographer John Robert Williams shows a portrait he took of Gov. William Milliken. Williams recently donated his film collection to the Traverse Area District Library.

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An actor lounges on a beach somewhere in Northern Michigan. John Robert Williams says the actor needed the shot for his acting portfolio.

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A photo from an advertising campaign for S.O.S. scrubbing pads in the early 1990s.

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A shot of the railroad tracks that used to be located near the location of the Traverse Area District Library.

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A product shoot from Cone Drive Gearing Solutions in the early 1990s.

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John Robert Williams experimented with night photography. This photo was taken near the Grand Traverse Commons.

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John Robert Williams stands by some of the images he recently donated to the Traverse Area District Library. The total number of photos in the film collection is estimated to be around 100,000.

John Robert Williams has been a professional photographer in Northern Michigan for over 40 years.

Recently, he donated his film collection to the Traverse Area District Library. It includes portraits of people, scenic landscapes, fine art shots, architecture, and much more.

“This should be shared, he says. "This is a slice of time. It’s a recording. And this is for the future.”

John estimates the collection of photos to be around 100,000. He will work closely with the library to oversee the archival process, and also help give each photo context.

The Traverse Area District Library is looking for volunteers to help sort the extensive photo collection. If you'd like to get involved, contact Amy Barritt at 231.932.8502