The photographs in the collection are organized by subject. Oversized and matted photographs can be found in Box 3.  .

Many of the photographs have lengthy descriptions and musing by Palmer on the back which may include names, place names, dates and additional information regarding subjects and living conditions.  Additionally, many of the photographs are marked “Earl Palmer “Blue Ridge Mountain’s Roamin’ Cameraman’ Christiansburg, VA” on the back. Many photos in this collection were taken at Berea College

Palmer, Earl -- 1905-1996

Earl Palmer (1905-96) was an award-winning photographer whose photographs appeared in many national magazines, including Life, National Geographic, and the Saturday Evening Post. His work has also appeared in many books, including several by Jesse Stuart, and has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation. Palmer took photographs documenting Appalachia over a period of fifty years. His subjects include coal mining, farming, logging, moonshining, classes, artisans at work, and other activities illustrating the work and daily lives of mountain people and their culture.