Mayhew Collection

SummaryThe Mayhew Collection contains 23 reels of 8 mm. film shot by Laurence Bray between 1949 and 1958. Footage depicts snowy winter scenes, summer family outings including picnics, fishing, hunting, camping activities, gardens and family pets. Films show corn and potato farming, agriculture, farm animals, and other rural scenes. Urban scenes in Boston include a horse race, street crowds, and views of the Mystic River Bridge. Both Boston footage and rural scenes in the Mayhew Collection have been used in Northeast Historic Film compilations.

Biographical/Historical NotesLaurence Bray was born in Cherryfield, Maine, and worked for many years as an electrician for an armature manufacturer in Boston. The company's factory was torn down to construct the Mystic River Bridge. He and his wife moved back to Cherryfield due to her mother's declining health, and he lived in this homestead after his wife died. Eva and Robert Mayhew, close friends, were bequeathed the house when Laurence died in 1980.

RepositoryNortheast Historic Film

AvailabilityAccess is restricted; consult repository for detail.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and UseAuthorization to reuse and/or reproduce must be obtained from Northeast Historic Film. See http://oldfilm.org/content/stock-footage-licensing for more information.