Enjoy rare images of campus
dating back several decades

by Barbara Blum

In the front of a file drawer marked "Photos" for UC Magazine, a treasure was found -- a plastic bag with a stack of envelopes. Stamped in the upper left corner was a return address of "Kinstler Photos." Inside each envelope was an oversized photographic negative or two.

The negatives' images were identified -- sometimes cryptically -- on the front of the envelope -- "U.C. Sophos Swing Dance, Oct. 12, '40."

They were the work of Robert Kinstler, Eng '43, who took a variety of photographs for the Cincinnatian yearbook and the News Record when he was a student. Subjects ranged from athletics to drama to scenics. Most appear to be taken between 1938 and 1943. Click the image at right or scroll down the page to see samples of his work.

The photos offer a unique glimpse into UC's past. The old buildings -- some that are no longer standing. The dorm under the stadium. The cars and clothes and hairstyles. A bottle of ink on the table in the student union.

With a few exceptions, the photos do not identify the people in the picture. And the content of the negatives are often -- again -- cryptic. So contact UC Magazine editors if you can help fill in the gaps.

[Editor's note: George Barbour, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UC from 1938-58, was one of the most beloved teachers of his time. After his retirement, Barbour's students honored him by creating the George Barbour Award, given to faculty who best exemplify good faculty-student relations.]