The Mayor and City Council of Cumberland proudly announces enhancements to digital access to the Herman Miller Collection of Historic Photographs. With the assistance of Information Manufacturing Corporation of Rocket Center, WV all images were digitized. The collection is now available for access on the City of Cumberland’s website in high resolution format at www.cumberlandmd.gov. The photos can be searched by keyword inquiries and then downloaded to individual electronic devices.
The City of Cumberland purchased the photographic collection from Herman and Stacia Miller in 1982. Mr. Miller was a Cumberland resident who had a great interest in the history of Cumberland, serving on the City’s Advisory Commission on Historical Matters and the Historic Preservation Commission during the 1970s. In 1978, he was the subject of an oral history by Dr. Harry Stegmaier entitled, “Cumberland, Maryland Through the Eyes of Herman J. Miller”. An electronic copy of this document is also available on the City’s website. As part of the acquisition agreement, the collection was to be used for “preservation and future historic planning uses of the City.” This collection of over 2,000 images is an invaluable resource, tracing the heritage of Cumberland through images of its people, buildings, and events over a span of time ranging from the late nineteenth century through the mid twentieth century. Through these photos, researchers can view images of the rich history of the railroad, the National Road, Downtown Cumberland, the C&O Canal, Cumberland neighborhoods, early leaders, and significant and special events, just to name a few examples.
For More Information Contact:
Kathy McKenney, Community Development Programs Manager, Department of Community Development, City of Cumberland, 57 North Liberty Street, Cumberland, MD 21502, 301-759-6431, 301-759-6432 (fax), kathy.mckenney@cumberlandmd.gov