Guide to the Dr. J.H. Shelton photographs
undated, 1951
An Alaska Historical Society collection
Collection number: HMC-1381-AHS.
Creator: Shelton, Joseph H., 1914-1990.
Title: Dr. J.H. Shelton photographs.
Date: undated, 1951.
Volume of collection: 0.01 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in the collection are in English.
Collection summary: Photographs of a physician and ophthalmologist in Alaska.
Biographical note:
Dr. J.H. (Joseph H.) Shelton traveled to Alaska on a hunting trip in 1946. While he was there, the doctor in Seward died, and Shelton was asked to stay on and take over as Seward’s doctor. After receiving further training in eye surgery at Tulane in New Orleans, he established an ophthalmology practice in Anchorage in 1953. Shelton worked with the Alaska Native Health Service to provide care to patients in villages. He was a pilot and often flew to the villages himself. Dr. Shelton retired in 1983 and passed away in 1990.
Collection description:
The collection consists of 21 photographic prints from Dr. J.H. Shelton’s time in Alaska. Subjects of the photographs include people hunting, an airplane, Dr. Shelton working, and scenes from the village of Chaniliut.
Arrangement: The photographs are arranged in no discernible order.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Copyright to materials created by Dr. J.H. Shelton was transferred to the Alaska Historical Society (AHS). Other materials may be subject to copyright not held by AHS.
Preferred citation: Dr. J.H. Shelton photographs, Alaska Historical Society collections, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory:
“Obituaries,” Anchorage Daily News, September 22, 1990. Accessed October 12, 2021 via NewsBank.
Additional biographical information was provided by the donor.
Separated materials: The photographs were donated along with slides taken by Dr. Shelton’s son Joe Shelton and were separated into their own collection by Archives & Special Collections staff.
Related materials: The Joe Shelton slides (HMC-1382-AHS), taken by Dr. Shelton’s son were also donated to the Alaska Historical Society.
Acquisition note: This collection was donated to the Alaska Historical Society in 2021 by Katie Westbrook. The Historical Society retains ownership of the collection and placed it on deposit in Archives and Special Collections in 2021.
Processing information: This collection was described by Gwen Higgins in 2021.