Kukkonen Studio Photograph Collection
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Photographic collection from the Kukkonen Studio of Hancock, Michigan. Includes a register with names, addresses, and negative numbers of the studio customers. Also includes numbered negatives that correspond with the register as well as unnumbered and unorganized negatives and studio records and correspondence.
Dates
- 1847, 1913-1976
Languages of Material
English
Conditions Governing Access
Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.
Conditions Governing Use
Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.
Biography
Charles A. Kukkonen, born in Muhos, Finland in 1889, arrived in Hancock, Michigan in 1903. He registered immediately at Suomi College. After learning the English language he apprenticed with the photographer, Louis Auer. He set up his own photographic studio in 1912 and captured innumerable images of Copper Country Finns and their activities. The studio was first located at 318 Quincy Street in Hancock, relocating in 1917 and finally settling in 1973 at 119 Quincy Street. Charles’ son Carl bought the store in 1955, and he and his wife expanded the business to include two stores in Houghton, one downtown (opened in 1973) and one at the Copper Country Mall (opened in 1980). All three stores were under the Hallmark Corp. Charles later sold the family business to Jim and Brenda Ferris. In about September of 1995, the original Hancock store closed.
Extent
25.34 Cubic Feet (56 manuscript boxes)
Abstract
Photographic collection, 1847, 1913-1976, from the Kukkonen Studio of Hancock, Michigan. Includes a register with names, addresses, and negative numbers of the people who came to the studio. Also includes number negatives that correspond with the register as well as unnumbered and unidentified negatives.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in eight series with Series 2 divided into three subseries: 1. Studio Records and Correspondence, 2. Studio Portraits, 3. Local Businesses and Product Displays, 4. Church and Religious, 5. Education, 6. Organizations and Government, 7. Miscellaneous Local Photography, and 8. Unprocessed Portraits and Photo Processing. Series 2 is divided into three subseries: 2.1 Portraits Identified in Studio Register, 2.2 Portraits Unidentified in Studio Register, and 2.3 Group Portraits/ Events.
Acquisition
The photographic prints, negatives, and studio register of the Kukkonen Photographic Studio in Hancock, Michigan was donated to the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections by Nancy Manninen on September 1, 1998.
Processing History
Finding aid created by Elizabeth Russell, 2/9/2011. Revised by Rachael Bussert, 5/11/2012.
- Hancock (Mich.)
- High schools -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula
- Local history -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula
- Negatives (Photographic)
- Photographs
- Photography -- Michigan -- Hancock
- Photography -- Studios and dark rooms
- Portraits
- Registers (Lists)
- Universities and colleges -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula
- Upper Peninsula (Mich.)
- Title
- Kukkonen Studio Photograph Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Elizabeth Russell, revised by Rachael Bussert.
- Date
- 2/9/2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
- Sponsor
- Funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Repository Details
Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository