Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Building 20 Documentation Project Images

The collection contains photographs taken between April 1997 and March 1998 documenting the final days of MIT’s Building 20. No attempt was made to photograph every room, architectural feature, or denizen of Building 20. However, a conscientious effort to record a representative sample was made. Included are views of hallways, staircases, window frames, window boxes, beams, plumbing, wiring, unusual space modifications, offices, labs, classrooms, clubs, murals, and graffiti. Exterior views were taken from every direction, as well as from the roof and from elevated positions. All wings, courtyards, and entrances have been included. Some but not all students, faculty members, administrative staff, and blue collar workers are depicted.

The collection consists of 700 black and white negatives, 411 black and white 8" x 10" glossy prints, and 182 thirty-five millimeter color slides. In addition to the negatives, slides, and prints the collection includes contact sheets printed from the black and white negative strips.

Researchers interested in using the collection have several possible ways of locating a relevant image. The 411 black and white prints have been arranged by topic. Researchers who locate an image by searching through the prints will find a brief description and a number corresponding to the relevant black and white negative on the reverse side of the print. Requests for reproductions must include the negative's roll and frame number.

Researchers interested in knowing the exact month and year in which each image was taken should refer to the list of black and white rolls and shoot dates and the separate list of color slides and shoot dates

Each black and white print is succinctly identified in pencil on its reverse margin. These brief identifications give roll and frame numbers, location (name of department, lab, or hallway), and names of people depicted (if known). Fuller descriptions will be found in the negative list, arranged by roll and frame number.

Each color slide is identified briefly in pencil on the margin of its slide holder. Such information is limited to room number and slide number. Fuller descriptions will be found in the slide list, arranged in numerical order by slide.