Richard C. Kelsey 1915-1987 was a pioneer aerial photographer of Cape Cod from 1941-1986. His images focus on Chatham and the Outer Cape but also present the history of a changing landscape of all Cape Cod and the Islands during the 1960's and 70's, an era of great change. His are the famous images which record the 1978 break at Nauset.

In 1989, Mr. Kelsey's aerial photo collections were donated in his memory to the Nickerson Room by Mrs. Sarah K. Kelsey.

Aerial View of the Outer Cape, looking North

The famous break of 1978

Cape Cod Canal, looking South

Mr. O. Herbert McKenney 1915-1997, Librarian Emeritus of Cape Cod Community College Library-LRC, was an historican and genealogist whose collection of Historic Hyannis slide photographs is derived from old postcards which he used to illustrate his popular lectures on the history of Hyannis. His image selections record the emergence of a thriving commercial center from a remote sea captain's village.

In 1999, Mr. McKenney's extensive photographic collections were donated in his memory to the Nickerson Room by Mr. Edward Gillis.

McKenney's own historic house in Hyannis

The National Bank, once the Hyannis Inn

View of Main Street Hyannis

Mr. O. Herbert McKenney, Library Director of the Cape Cod Community College from 1959 to 1978, created a visual archive which chronicles the building of the Campus in general and the Library in particular. The Cape Cod Community College, under the leadership of E. Carleton Nickerson, was the first Community College in Massachusetts to build a new campus.

In 1999, Mr. McKenney's extensive photographic collections were donated in his memory to the Nickerson Room by Mr. Edward Gillis.

Construction of the Cape Cod Community Campus in West Barnstable, 1971:

Aerial View of the New Campus

Campus Buildings in Progress

Construction Detail