Celebrate the Opening of the Hightower Photography Collections
Through the Lens of the Father (Frank Russell)
& The Son (Frank Floyd)
This is a celebration of Manchester Native, Frank Floyd Hightower. Frank and his father (Frank Russell Hightower) were prolific photographers who capture everyday events and studio images of several generations of Pittsburghers. At one time the official photographer for Oliver High and its yearbook, the Omicron, the Father and Son team have documented countless Northsiders.
The photos of Pittsburgh-born Frank Russell document the activities of community organizations like the Urban League, the Pittsburgh chapter of the NAACP, the Catholic Diocese, and several local churches as well as professional portraits and weddings of the African American community from the 1940s through 1990s. His son, Frank Floyd, followed in his footsteps to also become a professional photographer as well as a playwright and artist. His photos from the 1960s to the present document Black Theater in Pittsburgh, including the work of August Wilson, Rob Penny, Bob Johnson, Maisha Baton and Hightower himself. Community activities such as Black arts festivals and meetings held by community organizations like the Manchester Citizen’s Corporation are also documented. Like his father, Frank worked as a professional portrait and wedding photographer too. As a whole, these collections provide a remarkable visual representation of the African American community in Pittsburgh over eight decades.
Event Information:
Thursday, 10/17/2024
4:00 PM - Materials on Display
4:30 - 6:00 PM - Program
Hillman Library
Archives and Special Collections Instruction Room
3rd Floor
