Guinn family papers and photographs, 1869-1959

Summary

Creator:
Guinn, Austin Edgar, 1888-1945
Date:
1869-1959
Extent:
4.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes, one oversized box)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Guinn family papers and photographs, ms4029, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains photographs and documents regarding Austin E. Guinn's activities as a US Navy steward and photographer from 1909-1922, and as an egg farmer in Butler, Georgia from 1923 until his death in 1945. Included are photographs of events in the Mexican War, Navy ships in ports in the Caribbean and in World War I Atlantic convoys, Washington DC monuments seen from the air, photographs of Woodrow Wilson, General Pershing and Marshall Foch, aerial photos of the Billy Mitchell ship bombing tests, Glenn Curtiss' first seaplane, as well as various other airships in development by the Navy. There are also many pictures depicting life on the Peach Valley Egg Farm, including legal documents and genealogical information about the Guinn family and the egg farm.

Biographical / historical:

Austin Edgar Guinn (1888-1945) was a Navy photographer and egg farmer from Butler, Georgia. Mr. Guinn served in the U.S. Navy from 1909-1922, first as a baker, then ship steward, and finally as a chief photographer. Always fascinated with photography, he served as ship's photographer on the USS Dixie and USS Shawmut before attending Navy Photography School in 1920. After leaving the Navy he purchased an old farm in Bulter and became a self-taught egg farmer, though the banks he tried to get initial loans from insisted he grow cotton. His Peach Valley Egg Farm produced a White Leghorn hen named Miss Peach Valley who broke the 300 egg per year record, and set A.E. Guinn on his way to numerous awards and positions held within several Georgia poultry associations.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

Guinn family papers and photographs, ms4029, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.