UA Museum Hosting Harper Photo Exhibit and Symposium

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s Alabama Museum of Natural History is hosting a new exhibition entitled “Botanical Bonanza: Photographs by Roland Harper” through March 17 in Smith Hall, Sixth Avenue, on the UA campus.

The exhibit showcases 22 rare photographs of Alabama plants and landscapes taken by Roland McMillan Harper between 1911 and 1951. Harper (1878-1966) served as botanist and phytogeographer for the Alabama Geological Survey from 1905 until his death. Although not a member of The University of Alabama faculty, generations of students and scientists called upon Harper in his office located at the Geological Survey in Smith Hall on the University campus.

“Dr. Harper was truly a giant among Alabama scientists,” says Dr. Nick Tew, state geologist. “His work on the economic botany of the state, particularly Alabama’s forest resources, was integral to our understanding of these resources and our economic development in the 20th Century. His work at the Geological Survey of Alabama resulted in many important publications that remain key reference works today.”

Dr. Richard Cobb, project coordinator for the exhibition, selected the featured works from hundreds of photographs because of their interest value. “Dr. Harper’s work was immense not only in scope but in detail,” Cobb says. “His contributions both in the field of botany and ethnography in Alabama are fertile fields for future researchers to utilize. It’s been quite a pleasure to track and follow his footsteps these last four years.”

Cobb and Alabama photographer Beth Maynor Young revisited many of the sites described by Harper as the “Botanical Bonanza of Tuscaloosa County” more than 50 years later. Selected photographs taken during their recent visit are also included in the exhibition.

Operating hours for UA’s Museum of Natural History are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children and retirees. For more information about the exhibition and symposium, contact the Alabama Museum of Natural History, The University of Alabama, Box 870340, Tuscaloosa, Al. 35487-0340, or phone 205/ 348-7550, or visit the web site www.amnh.ua.edu.

For information on the Harper photographs, contact W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama, Box 870266, Tuscaloosa, Al. 35487-0266 or phone 205/348-0500.