Over 800 historical photographs collected or taken by Kyle Laughlin and donated to the Library in 1985. A Moscow resident and businessman for over 50 years, Laughlin took photographs and notes regarding the natural history of the northwest for much of his life.
Questions?
Contact Devin:
dbecker@uidaho.edu
(208) 885-7040
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About Laughlin and the Collection
Laughlin Legacy
About the Map and Timeline
questions?
Contact Devin:
dbecker@uidaho.edu
(208) 885-7040
About the Collection
The Kyle Laughlin photographs were donated to University of Idaho Library Special Collections in February of 1985 by Marguerite Laughlin. It was processed and described in 1998 and 1999 by Karen Hertel.
Biography of Kyle Laughlin
Kyle Laughlin (1905-1984) was a Moscow, Idaho resident and businessman for 56 years. He was born May 24, 1905 to Edward and Eva Laughlin in Ozark, Missouri. When Laughlin was about seven, the family moved to southeast Idaho where Kyle graduated from Ashton High School. He attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1931 with a degree in teaching. In 1933, Kyle Laughlin married Marguerite Ward in Moscow. Marguerite was also a UI graduate and teacher. The newlyweds lived in Malad for two years where Kyle taught chemistry and physics before returning to Moscow in 1935 where they started in business. A ski shop within Ward Paint and Hardware, owned by Marguerite's father, gave way to a photo studio known as Kyle's Photo Shop. Here, Laughlin was able to turn his life-long interest in photography into a business.
In 1954, a partnership with Sam Haddock resulted in Haddock and Laughlin, a photography, television, appliance, and stereo shop. This business later started the Moscow TvCable Company. Laughlin was also involved in residential development. In the 1940's he became codeveloper of the B.L. residential area and later helped develop the Eastgate area in southeast Moscow. The Laughlins were dedicated supporters of both the Latah County Public Library and the University of Idaho Library. In December 1979, Warren Owens, the Dean of Instructional Services and Director of Libraries, reported that the University Library received "one of the most significant and impressive gifts in history," Laughlin's personal library of Western Americana.
Laughlin continued to take photographs after he closed his photo business. He documented his interest in the natural history of the Northwest and wildflowers through photographs and notes on his readings and travels. He also recorded, through photography, the family history of Marguerite and his three children at home and on their travels. Shortly after her husband's death in 1984, Marguerite Laughlin donated his photography collection, along with his notes, to the University of Idaho Library.
Scope and Content
The images of the Kyle Laughlin photographic collection span the years 1931 to 1979. The collection contains images of Idaho scenery and historical sites, travel to other states and countries, and family and friends. The collection holds 10,349 primarily black and white negatives and 3,819 color slides. The collection contains 22 boxes of mounted and unmounted prints as well as 34 spiral-bound books of prints. The majority of the negatives are represented in 27 spiral-bound books of contact sheets. Also included in the collection are the notes of Kyle Laughlin in the form of a scrapbook, a journal of notes, four sets of index cards, a photo record, and two catalogues. In addition there are 21 reels of 16mm and 8mm motion picture films.
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