Embark on a photographic journey this fall by exploring Special Collections & Archives’ exhibit, Photographic Memory of the West: The Work of Hubert A. Lowman. Visitors can explore selections from the impressive photographic archive of Hubert A. Lowman, spanning 70 years and including over 21,000 photographs and more than 11 linear feet of papers, books, magazines, business archives and other remarkable materials.

This exhibit, curated by Digital and Print Collections Archivist Sean Stanley, gives visitors a mesmerizing glimpse into the work of renowned commercial photographer and publisher Hubert A. Lowman, and the Lowman Publishing Company. His work, often featured in prestigious magazines, emphasizes the awe-inspiring beauty of the American West, particularly California and Arizona. His notable clients included Union Oil Company, Standard Oil Company, Smith News in San Francisco, magazines such as Arizona Highways, American Airlines, the California Mission Trails Association (CMTA), Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, regional postcard distributors from California to Mississippi, concessionaires of national parks including Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier and Lassen Volcanic, as well as Los Angeles City Schools.

Selected items on display include an array of creations including postcards, magazines, calendars, and educational study prints. Researchers with an interest in photography, environmental analysis and the history of the American West will undoubtedly uncover invaluable treasures within this exhibit and the collection.

Exhibit highlights include:

• Photographs of United States national and state parks, and natural and historic landmarks.
• Brochures, postcards and travel ephemera from tourist destinations across California and the Southwest, including travel photography featured in periodicals such as Arizona Highways and Desert Magazine.
• Educational study prints created in partnership with Los Angeles City Schools and used for classroom instruction in elementary schools across Southern California.
• California Mission Trail Association books, postcards and accordion folders highlighting California’s 21 Spanish missions.
• Highlights of printed materials and business archives of the Lowman Publishing Company.

Exhibit Details
North Lobby Gallery, The Claremont Colleges Library
(800 N. Dartmouth Ave., Claremont, CA 91711)
August 28, 2023 - February 23, 2024* (extended!)
Exhibit on view during Library building hours

*Please note this is the correct end date; our calendar is limited to a 45-day window so the dates listed below will be updated as time goes on.

Accessing the Collections
Students, faculty and staff of The Claremont Colleges, as well as members of the community, are welcome to consult the collections for research and instruction. You can explore the collections and schedule your Reading Room appointment today.

For more information, please contact Special Collections.