Strand Studio Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: Photo 2097
Scope and Contents
The Strand Studio Photograph Collection is a wealth of visual resources related to the people and institutions of Rugby, N.D. and the north central part of North Dakota, through the photographic work of Curtis and Maxine Strand. Also impressive is that it spans forty years from 1948 when they established their studio until their retirement in 1988. The collection consists primarily of portraiture, together with commercial photography for area businesses, schools, organizations and churches, as well as events.
The Chronological Series is by far the largest series. It reflects the system used by the Strands in organizing the negatives for images they took, namely by year and then alphabetical therein. This original order has been preserved, and the listing for each year (1948-1988) was taken directly from the handwritten identifying text on the original envelopes. At times the handwriting was difficult to read, thus errors in the spelling of the names are possible. The year was usually not written on the original envelope; rather it was on the original box label. Thus there is the possibility that some files are not in the proper year.
The vast majority of the images are family and individual portraiture including weddings, family & individual portraits, graduation, confirmation, scouting, passports and many other landmark events on Main Street and elsewhere throughout the Rugby area for which a photograph was desired. Most packets contain more than one image and most were done in black and white. Also, most packets do not contain any photographic prints, rather only film negatives of various sizes. Most of the negatives are 4 x 5 in. and 5 x 7 in. in size. A number of the early years’ negatives have deteriorated to the point they had to be physically removed from the main series in order to not contaminate the other negatives. They were placed in a separate Deteriorated Negatives Series. The name entries have been retained in the main listing, with ‘Deteriorated’ given as the location. Photo 2097 Strand Studio (Rugby, N.D.) Photograph Collection Page 3 of 333 The series also includes a “1950s’ files group. These negatives came originally as a separate series with the box label “Commercial 1950’s, Portraits, Wedding, Etc.” They have been retained together as found and listed after 1959.
The first part of the Rugby School Activities Series is organized by date and encompasses the years 1948-1986. It covers a mixture of both High School and grade school activities, including yearbook pictures, sporting events, minstrel shows and operettas. At the end of the series is a subseries taken from a packet that was labeled Torrison. It contains images likely ordered by Orrin Torrison, the high school band director. This subseries includes not only a number of high school band pictures from 1952 to 1962, but also the First Lutheran Church Choir, and some Torrison related family pictures.
The High School (Non-Rugby) Activities Series, 1950s-1960s Series was developed by Strand Studio. It is organized alphabetically by the name of the North Dakota community. Most are of sport teams but include events such as shows, concerts, proms and other activities beyond sports.
The High School Seniors 1950s Series images came in a box labeled simply “1950 & Up; 1950s?” There were several alphabetical sequences, likely for more than a single year. The negative packets have been integrated into a single alphabetical sequence. There also may be negatives of teachers in this series. Some packets also include proof prints. Several have proofs. Some prints have ‘yr. book’ written on back, likely intended for use in the published school annual. None of the original envelopes include the specific year in the 1950s, however with the assistance of an alumnae the year of graduation has been added to a majority of the names.
The Copy Negative Series contains copy negatives for older family photographs that customers brought to Strand Studio to have reproductions made. Likely most were done in the 1960s. Most are of family and individual portraits, although occasionally there are aerials of farms, farmsteads, and group confirmation photographs. The file was organized alphabetically by the name of the customer who requested the work, rather than the subject of the original image. Occasionally some identifying information was written on the original sleeve which was transferred to the finding aid listing.
The Topical Series reflects two separate collections of negatives and some prints that have been combined into a single series. There is a great variety of subject matter covered by the images in this series. Many are related to specific North Dakota towns, particularly for Rugby, N.D. There are also a number of photographs taken for legal firms in the state, particularly as related to accidents. Other major categories include of the North Dakota State Championship Horse Show (1949-1961), work for the local newspaper, Pierce County Tribune (1952-1980) and area churches.
The Topical From Binders Series contains a set of negatives added into the collection several months after the original donation was deposited. This set of negatives had been in the possession of Todd Strand, and sleeved into four binders. These negatives are topical in nature but do contain some portraiture. The images were transferred out of the binders, with all identifying information transferred are arranged alphabetically by subject. Many of the images in this series were used by Todd Strand to build the Flicker site featuring Curtis Strand’s photographs.
The Film Rolls Series is made up of negatives that were in bound rolls at the time of donation. Most were originally bound together by plastic holders or metal canisters. They appear to be large photo shoots that Strand Studio was contracted to produce such as elementary student portraiture for Ely Elementary, Little Flower Catholic School, Rugby, Balta, Willow City and Wolford Elementary schools. Also of note are a series of images for John Deere, featuring the employees, and the facility; and Rolette Shopping Center featuring Santa Claus sittings.
The Aerials Series came as a separate collection in a plastic bag so labeled. Most of the original packets had some identifying information. They contain aerials of farmsteads, businesses and several towns. The images are arranged alphabetically by subject.
The Bicentennial Series documents a number of events held in the Rugby area as part of the national 1976 Bicentennial celebration across the United States. This series came as a separate collection in a plastic bag so labeled. The series currently has not been fully processed. It contains quite a number of separate packets of color negatives and some prints. Some of the original packets have some identifying information.
The International Peace Garden Series is an extensive collection of color photographs taken of the Peace Gardens over many years. It appears Strand’s Studio did contract work for the administration of the garden. This series came as a separate collection in a plastic bag so labeled. The series currently has not been fully processed. It contains many separate packets of color negatives and some prints. Many of the original packets have some identifying information.
The Nilles, Hansen, Selbo, Magill & Davies Ltd Series contains contract work Strand’s Studio did for the Fargo law firm. Apparently Donald Hansen was the contact firm at the law firm since his name was written on the plastic bag in which all of these negatives came to the archives. It currently has not been fully processed. It contains quite a number of separate packets of b&w and color negatives and some prints. Most of the original packets have some identifying information, including: Jean Tooke, 1974; Pete Kraft file; Rudolph Feichert intersection, SW Martin; Super Valu Parking Lot; Tractor at Rolla for Winton Noble; 1965 April, Feb. & also March 1969; 1980, July 30; 1983, Aug 28; and 1987
The Undated and Unidentified Series includes a variety of negatives placed together because they are either undated, unidentified or both. Sub-series includes identified but undated portratis that are organized alphabetically, weddings, and negatives that are both undated and unidentified. This last subseries of negatives are organized by type of people, weddings and topical.
The Deteriorated Negatives Series are negatives that were found within the Chronological Series, which have deteriorated or show evidence of the vinegar syndrome, common with cellulose diacetate film of the late 1940s and earlier. They thus were removed to prevent contaminating the other good negatives. Some have deteriorated to such an extent that it may not be possible to obtain an image. Almost all were taken from the 1948-1949 files, with several from the 1950s
The Strand Studio Records Series includes a variety of studio office files including desk diaries, orders, invoices and receipts and some correspondence. The series currently has not been fully processed.
The Chronological Series is by far the largest series. It reflects the system used by the Strands in organizing the negatives for images they took, namely by year and then alphabetical therein. This original order has been preserved, and the listing for each year (1948-1988) was taken directly from the handwritten identifying text on the original envelopes. At times the handwriting was difficult to read, thus errors in the spelling of the names are possible. The year was usually not written on the original envelope; rather it was on the original box label. Thus there is the possibility that some files are not in the proper year.
The vast majority of the images are family and individual portraiture including weddings, family & individual portraits, graduation, confirmation, scouting, passports and many other landmark events on Main Street and elsewhere throughout the Rugby area for which a photograph was desired. Most packets contain more than one image and most were done in black and white. Also, most packets do not contain any photographic prints, rather only film negatives of various sizes. Most of the negatives are 4 x 5 in. and 5 x 7 in. in size. A number of the early years’ negatives have deteriorated to the point they had to be physically removed from the main series in order to not contaminate the other negatives. They were placed in a separate Deteriorated Negatives Series. The name entries have been retained in the main listing, with ‘Deteriorated’ given as the location. Photo 2097 Strand Studio (Rugby, N.D.) Photograph Collection Page 3 of 333 The series also includes a “1950s’ files group. These negatives came originally as a separate series with the box label “Commercial 1950’s, Portraits, Wedding, Etc.” They have been retained together as found and listed after 1959.
The first part of the Rugby School Activities Series is organized by date and encompasses the years 1948-1986. It covers a mixture of both High School and grade school activities, including yearbook pictures, sporting events, minstrel shows and operettas. At the end of the series is a subseries taken from a packet that was labeled Torrison. It contains images likely ordered by Orrin Torrison, the high school band director. This subseries includes not only a number of high school band pictures from 1952 to 1962, but also the First Lutheran Church Choir, and some Torrison related family pictures.
The High School (Non-Rugby) Activities Series, 1950s-1960s Series was developed by Strand Studio. It is organized alphabetically by the name of the North Dakota community. Most are of sport teams but include events such as shows, concerts, proms and other activities beyond sports.
The High School Seniors 1950s Series images came in a box labeled simply “1950 & Up; 1950s?” There were several alphabetical sequences, likely for more than a single year. The negative packets have been integrated into a single alphabetical sequence. There also may be negatives of teachers in this series. Some packets also include proof prints. Several have proofs. Some prints have ‘yr. book’ written on back, likely intended for use in the published school annual. None of the original envelopes include the specific year in the 1950s, however with the assistance of an alumnae the year of graduation has been added to a majority of the names.
The Copy Negative Series contains copy negatives for older family photographs that customers brought to Strand Studio to have reproductions made. Likely most were done in the 1960s. Most are of family and individual portraits, although occasionally there are aerials of farms, farmsteads, and group confirmation photographs. The file was organized alphabetically by the name of the customer who requested the work, rather than the subject of the original image. Occasionally some identifying information was written on the original sleeve which was transferred to the finding aid listing.
The Topical Series reflects two separate collections of negatives and some prints that have been combined into a single series. There is a great variety of subject matter covered by the images in this series. Many are related to specific North Dakota towns, particularly for Rugby, N.D. There are also a number of photographs taken for legal firms in the state, particularly as related to accidents. Other major categories include of the North Dakota State Championship Horse Show (1949-1961), work for the local newspaper, Pierce County Tribune (1952-1980) and area churches.
The Topical From Binders Series contains a set of negatives added into the collection several months after the original donation was deposited. This set of negatives had been in the possession of Todd Strand, and sleeved into four binders. These negatives are topical in nature but do contain some portraiture. The images were transferred out of the binders, with all identifying information transferred are arranged alphabetically by subject. Many of the images in this series were used by Todd Strand to build the Flicker site featuring Curtis Strand’s photographs.
The Film Rolls Series is made up of negatives that were in bound rolls at the time of donation. Most were originally bound together by plastic holders or metal canisters. They appear to be large photo shoots that Strand Studio was contracted to produce such as elementary student portraiture for Ely Elementary, Little Flower Catholic School, Rugby, Balta, Willow City and Wolford Elementary schools. Also of note are a series of images for John Deere, featuring the employees, and the facility; and Rolette Shopping Center featuring Santa Claus sittings.
The Aerials Series came as a separate collection in a plastic bag so labeled. Most of the original packets had some identifying information. They contain aerials of farmsteads, businesses and several towns. The images are arranged alphabetically by subject.
The Bicentennial Series documents a number of events held in the Rugby area as part of the national 1976 Bicentennial celebration across the United States. This series came as a separate collection in a plastic bag so labeled. The series currently has not been fully processed. It contains quite a number of separate packets of color negatives and some prints. Some of the original packets have some identifying information.
The International Peace Garden Series is an extensive collection of color photographs taken of the Peace Gardens over many years. It appears Strand’s Studio did contract work for the administration of the garden. This series came as a separate collection in a plastic bag so labeled. The series currently has not been fully processed. It contains many separate packets of color negatives and some prints. Many of the original packets have some identifying information.
The Nilles, Hansen, Selbo, Magill & Davies Ltd Series contains contract work Strand’s Studio did for the Fargo law firm. Apparently Donald Hansen was the contact firm at the law firm since his name was written on the plastic bag in which all of these negatives came to the archives. It currently has not been fully processed. It contains quite a number of separate packets of b&w and color negatives and some prints. Most of the original packets have some identifying information, including: Jean Tooke, 1974; Pete Kraft file; Rudolph Feichert intersection, SW Martin; Super Valu Parking Lot; Tractor at Rolla for Winton Noble; 1965 April, Feb. & also March 1969; 1980, July 30; 1983, Aug 28; and 1987
The Undated and Unidentified Series includes a variety of negatives placed together because they are either undated, unidentified or both. Sub-series includes identified but undated portratis that are organized alphabetically, weddings, and negatives that are both undated and unidentified. This last subseries of negatives are organized by type of people, weddings and topical.
The Deteriorated Negatives Series are negatives that were found within the Chronological Series, which have deteriorated or show evidence of the vinegar syndrome, common with cellulose diacetate film of the late 1940s and earlier. They thus were removed to prevent contaminating the other good negatives. Some have deteriorated to such an extent that it may not be possible to obtain an image. Almost all were taken from the 1948-1949 files, with several from the 1950s
The Strand Studio Records Series includes a variety of studio office files including desk diaries, orders, invoices and receipts and some correspondence. The series currently has not been fully processed.
Dates
- 1948-1988.
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyrights
Copyright to this collection transferred to the Institute for Regional Studies.
Biography
Curtis and Maxine Strand opened their photograph studio out of their Rugby, N.D. house in 1948, known as the Strand Studio. They also were known as Strand’s Studio. They did commercial and legal photography as well as portrait work and offered oil coloring, air brushing, restorations and aerials. They also developed the ‘statuetee,’ a posed action photo mounted on cardboard. Their logo was ‘Today’s Photographs – Tomorrow’s Best Memories.’ Their two sons Mark and Todd assisted in the studio as they grew up at Rugby. Curtis and Maxine retired in 1988 and sold the business to Chuck and Jan Repnow.
Curtis Strand was born December 11, 1916 at Edmore, N.D., the son of Carl and Winnifred (Hotz) Strand, while Maxine Sieber was born at Wolford, N.D., the daughter of Banks J. and Helen (McNitt) Sieber. Curtis graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. in 1938 with a degree in chemistry. He taught high school for three years at Audubon, Minnesota before serving in the United States Army Air Corp from June 1941 to December 1945. His military service included the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He achieved the rank of major and seved with the Sixth Tactical Air Command Squadron. During the war he married Maxine on June 18, 1943 at Wolford. Maxine graduated from Jamestown College and taught in North Dakota and Moorhead, Minn. high schools. Following the war Curtis was employed as a photographer at Kroeger Studio in St. Paul, Minn. In 1948 they moved to Rugby and opened Strand Studio. The Strands were active in the Rugby community where Curtis served on the Rugby City Council including serving as its president. In addition he was active in the Rugby Lions, Boy Scouts, Future Farmers of America, Professoinal Photographers Association of North Dakota, Rugby Chamber of Commerce and the Concordia College alumni association. Curtis and Maxine raised two sons, Mark and Todd Strand. Curtis Strand died February 7, 1992 at Rugby. Maxine continues to live at Rugby, N.D.
Curtis Strand was born December 11, 1916 at Edmore, N.D., the son of Carl and Winnifred (Hotz) Strand, while Maxine Sieber was born at Wolford, N.D., the daughter of Banks J. and Helen (McNitt) Sieber. Curtis graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. in 1938 with a degree in chemistry. He taught high school for three years at Audubon, Minnesota before serving in the United States Army Air Corp from June 1941 to December 1945. His military service included the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He achieved the rank of major and seved with the Sixth Tactical Air Command Squadron. During the war he married Maxine on June 18, 1943 at Wolford. Maxine graduated from Jamestown College and taught in North Dakota and Moorhead, Minn. high schools. Following the war Curtis was employed as a photographer at Kroeger Studio in St. Paul, Minn. In 1948 they moved to Rugby and opened Strand Studio. The Strands were active in the Rugby community where Curtis served on the Rugby City Council including serving as its president. In addition he was active in the Rugby Lions, Boy Scouts, Future Farmers of America, Professoinal Photographers Association of North Dakota, Rugby Chamber of Commerce and the Concordia College alumni association. Curtis and Maxine raised two sons, Mark and Todd Strand. Curtis Strand died February 7, 1992 at Rugby. Maxine continues to live at Rugby, N.D.
Extent
130,000 Photographic Prints (ca. 130,000 film negatives and photographic prints.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Strand Studio Photograph Collection is a wealth of visual resources related to the people and institutions of Rugby, N.D. and the north central part of North Dakota, through the photographic work of Curtis and Maxine Strand. Also impressive is that it spans forty years from 1948 when they established their studio until their retirement in 1988. The collection consists primarily of portraiture, together with commercial photography for area businesses, schools, organizations and churches, as well as events.
Provenance
Donated by Mark and Todd Strand, 2009 (Acc. 2921).
Property rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Strand Studio Photograph Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu