Norman Baynard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norman Baynard
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| Born | April 10, 1908 Pontiac, Michigan
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| Died | January 9, 1986 (aged 77) San Diego, California, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Photography |
Norman Baynard (1908–1986) was an American photographer. He took many pictures of African-American life in the Logan Heights area of San Diego. His photos show how people lived, worked, and celebrated from the 1940s to the 1980s. His huge collection of photos is now at the San Diego History Center. It helps us learn about the history of African-Americans in San Diego.
Contents
Norman Baynard's Life Story
Norman Baynard was born on April 10, 1908, in Pontiac, Michigan. His parents, John and Minnie Baynard, were from Canada. When he was young, his parents divorced. Norman moved to California with his father in the early 1920s.
Early Jobs and Photography
In the 1930s, Norman worked at different jobs. He was a gardener and a musician. For two years, he worked for an airplane company called Consolidated Aircraft. He helped develop photos there.
In 1936, he married Frances H. Russ. She encouraged him to try photography. In 1939, he opened his own photo studio called N. B. Studio. It was in their home on Clay Avenue in the Logan Heights neighborhood. Later, the studio moved to Imperial Avenue and was renamed the Baynard Studio. Norman Baynard passed away on January 9, 1986, in San Diego, California.
His Amazing Photos
Norman Baynard was a professional photographer. He mostly took portraits of people. Over 46 years, he took pictures of social, political, and religious events in Logan Heights. He photographed community groups, businesses, and important life moments. These included baptisms, graduations, and weddings.
A Look at History
Baynard took about 12,000 photos. This huge collection is a special record of the African-American community in San Diego. It shows how people lived in the middle of the 20th century. His photos often showed people achieving their "California Dream." This means they were moving up in life and doing well.
In 2011, the San Diego History Center had an exhibit called Portrait of a Proud Community: Norman Baynard's Logan Heights 1939–1985. It showed 120 of his amazing photographs. Thanks to a grant, the museum was able to make 500 of his photos digital. This makes them easier to study and share.
