Kristen Peterson Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection contains multiple scrapbooks covering a range of topics and themes. Some of the scrapbooks take the form of photo diaries with artistic embellishments, in which Peterson documented her work and social life while implemeting and experienting with photographic and artistic techniques. One set of scrapbooks take the form of newspapers bound into volumes, documenting Peterson's long-running weekly column in the Suburban Journal. The collection also holds publications, brochures, newsletters and magazines - for corporate and nonprofit clients - containing examples of Peterson's work as a freelance photographer over several decades.
Dates
- 2023
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Libary Reference Desk at library@mohistory.org or by phone at (314) 746-4500.
Biographical / Historical
Peterson’s work as a photojournalist, collected into substantial bound volumes, chronicles the pastimes, philanthropy, business and fashions of St. Louisans over more than a decade. Her long running column in the St. Louis Suburban Journal went far beyond the photography itself. Peterson pitched the articles, took the photographs, wrote the text, and did the page layout, delivering print-ready pages late at night to meet the newspaper deadline. Peterson also made a practice of sending copies of her photos to their subjects, which further strengthened her ties in the community and yielded leads for other freelance work.
Peterson works in various forms of photography including silver gelatin, color, polaroid SX-70, hand colored black and white, panoramas, and digital. Her collages incorporate photos as well as Xerox transfers, gel, pen, ink, paint and ephemera. Peterson incorporates a range of photographic processes and artistic techniques with ephemera in her handmade journals, creating layered memories that explore the meaning of home through everyday experiences and celebrations.
When photography was making the transition to digital, Peterson started taking classes at St. Louis Community College – Meramec to acquire the technical knowledge needed to make this transition. She has continued to take classes there, having found a community of photographers who together explore different media and provide mutual support. In 2013 Peterson established the Peterson Photography Lecture Series, which presents an artist lecture in conjunction with a gallery opening at the college.
This collection also includes one box of material documenting the terms that Peterson's father, John M. Peterson, served as Mayor of Frontenac, Missouri from 1969-1976. John Peterson's initial campaign platform included keeping Frontenac residential. He later was a leader in the development of Plaza Frontenac.Extent
4 Boxes
Language of Materials
English
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
There are no physical or technical restrictions. The newspaper scrapbooks of Kristen Peterson's Suburban Journal column have been digitized in PDF format for keyword searchability. Access at this time is onsite only at the Missouri Historical Society Library + Research Center.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Kristen Peterson
Processing Information
Levi Cullifer, Emily Jaycox
- Title
- Kristen Peterson Collection
- Author
- Levi Cullifer, Emily Jaycox
- Date
- 2023
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Kristen Peterson
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library Repository