Barry L. Gfeller
1933 - 1999
At the time of his death in 1999, Barry L. Gfeller’s family discovered among his possessions an astonishing collection of 50,000 photographs he had taken over 20 years documenting Main Street USA in the lower 48 states.
Main Street USA
The photographs portray a vanished American landscape of small stores lining Main Streets, as well as family-run hotels, municipal buildings and churches that has largely been replaced by malls, big box and online retail.
The Gfeller Collection
With their subject matter altered or vanished, the photographs in the Gfeller Collection cannot be recreated. Gfeller has created a work of rich historic and archival value.
Shy and unmarried, Gfeller’s thoughts about the subject matter and his motivations remain an enigma; none of his notes survive, nor did he talk about his work.
The current owner is seeking a permanent home for the Collection in a museum, gallery or archive where it will be available to students, researchers and the public.
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