Magness Library will be unveiling its new exhibit during its 100th birthday celebration this Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Brad Walker, library director, says it is a must see.
“Word is getting out and people are already excited about this,” he said. “The exhibit is impressive.”
Magness Library acquired the Brady-Hughes-Beasley Archives. This outstanding collection of photographs spans more than 115 years of history in McMinnville and Warren County.
The earliest images are by Anthia Brady Hughes, who opened her first local studio in 1898 in her home on East Main Street. Her daughter, Willie Hughes, joined her mother in the studio after studying at the Southern School of Photography. The studio operated until 1978 amassing a collection between 35,000 to 50,000 images.
Joe Hughes Beasley, Anthia’s great nephew, carried on the tradition and added over 50 years of his own work to the archives.
In keeping with Joe Beasley’s wishes that the photographs remain in McMinnville, his heirs, Emily Boyd Haston and Robert Boyd III, have graciously donated them to the library.
 “We look forward to working to preserve and protect these wonderful images,” said Pat Bigbee of the library board of directors. “It is a great responsibility and we are grateful to the family for placing their trust in us.”
The first opportunity for the public to view a sampling of these photographs will be Tuesday. Carol Caldwell, who worked closely with Joe Beasley during the past several years, will be speaking about the history of the archives.
Magness Library was established in 1913.