A New Methodological Approach to Integrating Historical Photography into Historical Spatial Data Infrastructures

James Juip, Michigan Tech University
Robert Cowling, Michigan Technological University
Sarah Fayen Scarlett, Michigan Technological University
Don Lafreniere, Michigan Technological University

Recently, Historical Spatial Data Infrastructures have been developed as tools to manage the ever-growing quantities and types of spatial and temporal data being integrated into historical GIS research, including gazeteers, census data, newspapers, narratives, school records, archaeological artifacts, and others. Using the spatial data infrastructure concept developed in the late 1990s HSDI’s create a broad platform for visualizing, studying, and sharing aspects of physical and social landscapes that are informed by historical datasets and spatial temporal linkages between them. One form of data related to the historic built environment is urban photography, which historians have long analyzed to understand how buildings and infrastructure have changed overtime. Photographs can often provide valuable built environment data not available in maps or other sources including architectural details, back yards and kitchen gardens, the presence of animals, foot paths, and other details of daily life. However, to date a methodological framework has yet to be developed to incorporate photographs into HSDI’s. We aim to fill this gap by utilizing the process of image mapping to link buildings present in historic urban photography with building footprints in historic cartography and through these linkages integrate the photographs into the spatial-temporal linkages present in the HSDI. Using the Copper Country HSDI as a case study, we illustrate how linking historic photography to HSDI's and deep maps offers new ways to create 'path traceable' connections with historical environments. Further, by incorporating these images into the HSDI we illustrate how microdata embedded in the HSDI can reveal patterns and uncover historical features hidden within these photographs.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 33. Advances in Conceptual & Methodological Frameworks for Spatial History