Creating a Vision of Grand Teton National Park - Preserving the Photographs of Harrison R. Crandall

Abstract

Harrison and Hildegard Crandall arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 1922âthe beginning of a pivotal and turbulent period in local history. Some of the valleyâs homestead and ranch traditions were about to be transformed into what is now the Grand Teton National Park. Harrison (or âHankâ as he preferred) and Hildegard (or âHildaâ as Hank preferred) lived through it allâswept up in the local saga of dry homesteading. However, the Crandall family homestead, located in the shadow of the Grand Tetons, was just the beginning. Hank carved out a more permanent place for his family in the landscape they loved by inventing a way to make a living as the Grand Teton National Parkâs official photographer and resident artist. The Crandall family operated their art studios in the Park for a total of 34 years. A summary of the life, times, and art of the Crandall family is provided in an earlier edition of the UWâNPS Annual Reports (Barrick 2008). Today, Hankâs photographic legacy provides a way for Jackson Hole residents and Grand Teton visitors to enjoy early scenes of the Park.