07/01/2009 Governor Carey Photographs Digitized at New York State Archives
In an ongoing effort to make public records more accessible, the New York State Archives collaborated with former New York Governor Hugh L. Carey’s director of communications, William F. Snyder, and the Carey family to create an online digital collection of Carey photographs. Carey served as governor from 1975 to 1982.
Four hundred photographs from Carey’s two terms as state governor, his congressional career, and his family albums are now online. Governor Carey’s legacy was firmly established in the early years of his administration when he provided leadership during New York City’s fiscal crisis. A lifelong Democrat, Governor Carey is also remembered for his fierce advocacy on behalf of the disabled and for the I Love New York campaign that energized tourism in New York.
“The State Archives has the gubernatorial records of Hugh Carey because he had the foresight and historical perspective to make sure all of his records were transferred here. In a state where governors have not been required to transfer their records to the Archives, Carey’s action ensures that the legacy of his administration is preserved for future generations,” said State Archivist Christine W. Ward. She added, “This year, the State Legislature has passed a bill that will require all future governors to do the same and we are hopeful that Governor Paterson will sign it into law.”
The New York State Archives also has photographs from the Dewey, Harriman, Rockefeller, Wilson, Carey, and Spitzer administrations, some of which are online. Governors used the photographs to help publicize their official, and occasionally unofficial, activities, and often sent enlargements to individuals who were photographed with them.
To view the Carey collection and other photographs of former governors of New York, visit http://iarchives.nysed.gov/PubImageWeb/listCollections.jsp?id=68006. Additionally, researchers can view the archived websites of Governors Pataki and Spitzer available on the Research page of the State Archives’ website.
The New York State Archives preserves and makes accessible the essential recorded evidence - past and present - of New York’s governments, organizations, peoples, and events. At its Albany facility, the State Archives cares for more than 200 million archival records of New York State government dating from the 1630s to the present. The State Archives also offers technical assistance, financial support, and other services to local governments and community organizations in every region of the state.