Robert P. Emrick was born in Haydenville, Massachusetts on March 31, 1890. He lived in the Northampton area until his death on March 7, 1982. He was 91 years old. A prolific photographer, Emrick captured images of a plethora of subjects. From the early twentieth-century Look Memorial Park to the landscapes of the Connecticut River Valley, Emrick's photographs pay homage to the multifaceted history of Western Massachusetts.

Aside from his passion for photography, Robert Emrick was quite active within the Northampton community. He served on the city's Common Council in 1924, was elected to the Board of Aldermen in 1925, held membership in the police committee, the soldier's relief committee, and the state aid committee. Emrick was also active in the Boy Scouts, serving as scoutmaster of Troop 108 (Leeds).

The Robert P. Emrick Collection is housed within the Special Collections Department at Forbes Library and is available for both casual browsing and research. We suggest that you make an appointment with the archivist before your visit.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the continuing development of the Robert P. Emrick Collection, or has additional biographical information concerning Robert P. Emrick, is encouraged to contact the Arts & Music Librarian.

Sources: Daily Hampshire Gazette. Obituary for Robert P. Emrick, published on March 8, 1982.

See a Detailed Collection Description and Finding Aid for the Emrick Collection

Images From the Archives includes only a small portion of the Robert P. Emrick collection. To see images not included here, please speak with a librarian.