Kent State University News Service May 4 photographs

May 4 Collection -- Boxes 28-28A

Finding Aid
Prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, August 26, 1998; Updated October 2012; Last updated: February 2023

Inclusive Dates: April 30, 1970-1989 (bulk May 4, 1970)
Bulk Dates: May 4, 1970
Extent: 1 cubic foot (2 half-size record storage boxes)
Physical Location: 12th floor

Scope and Content: This collection consists of photographs and contact sheets produced by University News Service (now University Communications and Marketing) before, during, and after the May 4, 1970 shootings at Kent State University. The first photographs were taken on April 30 to May 3, 1970. This group consists of a small number of photos. The bulk of the photographs were taken on May 4, 1970. Other photographs include events immediately after the shootings and some annual commemorations. The photographs were taken by University Photographers, including Doug Moore, Jack Davis, and others. However, the specific photographer of each image was not indicated when the photographs were submitted to Special Collections & Archives.

Processing Information: All image descriptions were provided by Special Collection and Archives staff. Please contact Special Collections and Archives to report any errors or additional identifications that can be provided.

Restrictions on Use: Please contact Special Collections and Archives staff for information on use and reproduction of these photographs. When making inquiries or requests about specific photographs, please include the number of the photographs as listed below to facilitate identification (Example: 705/4-1-35). Please also consult our guide to Photographs in the May 4 Collection, for more information.

Separated Materials: This collection contains a selection of Kent State University News Services photographs related to the Kent State shootings. The collection contains complete holdings of May 4 related University News Service photographs dating from April 30 through May 4, 1970. For events dating after May 4, 1970, there are additional relevant images in the main University Photographs collection held in Special Collections & Archives. Consult with Special Collections & Archives staff for more information.

May 4 Collection -- Box 28
Folder -- Contents

Processing Information: Box 28 contains photographs arranged in numerical order by News Service Photography Department numbers. The first part of the number (for example, 705/4) identifies the date on which the photo was taken, starting with the year, then the month, then the day. Thus, 705/4 indicates that the photo was taken in 1970 on May 4. The remainder of the News Service number refers to the file and frame numbers assigned to the negatives (for example, 1-15A refers to file 1, frame 15A). Contact sheets have not been scanned as all images contained on them have been printed and scanned.

704/30 - 705/1: April 30 - May 1, 1970

Scope & Content: Events covered include the World Historians Opposed to Racism and Exploitation (W.H.O.R.E.) demonstration and burying of the U.S. Constitution, May 1, 1970.

Please note: If you click on a link below, the image will open in a new window or tab. To return to this finding aid, click back on this window or tab in your browser.

1. 704/30-3 Burned out ROTC building, ambulance driving up hill in background near Power Plant. Note: Although this photograph is numbered as being taken on April 30, 1970, it appears to date from May 4, 1970.
2. 705/1-1 Contact sheet, May 1, 1970
3. 705/1-1-2 People gathered on grounds near Victory Bell
4. 705/1-1-3 People gathered on grounds near Victory Bell
5. 705/1-1-4 Closer view of people gathered near Victory Bell
6. 705/1-1-5 Closer view of people gathered near Victory Bell
7. 705/1-1-6 People gathered around Victory Bell, listening to man speak
8. 705/1-1-7 Close-up of man addressing the crowd at the Victory Bell
9. 705/1-1-8 Man addressing the crowd at the Victory Bell
10. 705/1-1-9 Close-up of man addressing the crowd at the Victory Bell
11. 705/1-1-10 Man addressing the crowd at the Victory Bell
12. 705/1-1-11 People with public address system by the crowd at the Victory Bell
13. 705/1-1-12 People addressing the crowd at the Victory Bell
14. 705/1-1-13 Person standing next to the Victory Bell
15. 705/1-1-14 Close-up of people listening to those addressing the crowd at the Victory Bell
16. 705/1-1-15 People in front of the Victory Bell with shovels
17. 705/1-1-16 People in front of the Victory Bell; two people at left appear to be involved in a disagreement
18. 705/1-1-17 People sitting on the ground and onlookers
19. 705/1-1-18 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
20. 705/1-1-19 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
21. 705/1-1-20 Man holding up a piece of paper in front of the Victory Bell
22. 705/1-1-21 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
23. 705/1-1-22 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
24. 705/1-1-23 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
25. 705/1-1-24 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
26. 705/1-1-25 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
27. 705/1-1-26 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
28. 705/1-1-27 Man addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell
29. 705/1-1-28 Woman addressing the crowd in front of the Victory Bell

705/3: May 3, 1970

Scope & Content: Events covered include the damaged downtown buildings, burned out ROTC annex building, and downtown clean-up efforts.

30. 705/3-1-14 Burned out ROTC building
31. 705/3-1-20 Burned out ROTC building
32. 705/3-1-31 Emil Berg, KSU Business Manager, inspecting damaged information booth
33. 705/3-2 Contact sheet, May 3, 1970
34. 705/3-2-9 Burned out ROTC building
35. 705/3-2-9 (2) People standing in the street (Front Campus area)
36. 705/3-2-10 Chainlink fence on ground, near Lilac Walk and tennis courts
37. 705/3-2-11 Burned out ROTC building, two National Guard personnel in foreground
38. 705/3-2-11 (2) Chainlink fence on ground, some people standing on it, others standing nearby, near Lilac Walk and tennis courts
39. 705/3-2-12 Burned out ROTC building, two National Guard personnel in foreground
40. 705/3-2-12 (2) Chainlink fence on ground, some people standing on it, others walking nearby
41. 705/3-2-13 People looking and pointing
42. 705/3-2-13 (2) People standing around (Commons Area)
43. 705/3-2-14 Close-up of people standing around
44. 705/3-2-15 Close-up of people standing around
45. 705/3-2-16 Close-up of people standing around
46. 705/3-2-17 Close-up of a man
47. 705/3-2-18 Close-up of people standing around
48. 705/3-2-19 Close-up of two men
49. 705/3-2-20 Broken window in door, people on outside looking in
50. 705/3-2-21 Broken window in door, people on outside looking in
51. 705/3-2-22 Broken window in door, people on outside looking in

705/4-1: May 4, 1970

Scope & Content: Events covered include the rally on the Commons, gathering of students in this area, the presence of Ohio National Guard troops on campus, and other events leading up to the May 4 shootings.

52. 705/4-1 Contact sheets, May 4, 1970
53. 705/4-1-3 National Guard personnel on campus
54. 705/4-1-4 National Guard personnel on campus
55. 705/4-1-6 Woman and man talking, National Guard in background
56. 705/4-1-7 Back of woman, National Guard in background
57. 705/4-1-8 Crowd of people, some with fists raised
58. 705/4-1-9 Crowd of people
59. 705/4-1-10 Crowd of people
60. 705/4-1-11 Crowd of people
61. 705/4-1-12 National Guard personnel in jeep
62. 705/4-1-13 Close-up of National Guard personnel in jeep
63. 705/4-1-14 Television crew on campus
64. 705/4-1-15 Crowd of people, some people are yelling and making gestures
65. 705/4-1-16 Crowd of people
66. 705/4-1-17 Close-up of National Guard personnel in jeep
67. 705/4-1-18 Crowd of people, some people are yelling and making gestures
68. 705/4-1-19 Crowd of people
69. 705/4-1-20 National Guard personnel wearing gas masks, holding rifles
70. 705/4-1-21 Two National Guard personnel wearing gas masks, firing tear gas
71. 705/4-1-22 National Guard personnel wearing gas masks, holding rifles
72. 705/4-1-23 National Guard personnel wearing gas masks, holding rifles
73. 705/4-1-24 Man, standing, back partially to camera, Victory Bell in background
74. 705/4-1-25 Small crowd, Victory Bell in background
75. 705/4-1-26 People sitting or partially reclining on ground, others standing
76. 705/4-1-27 National Guard personnel walking with weapons and jeeps in a line
77. 705/4-1-28 National Guard personnel holding rifles
78. 705/4-1-29 National Guard personnel with rifles, bayonets fixed
79. 705/4-1-30 National Guard personnel with rifles, bayonets fixed
80. 705/4-1-31 National Guard personnel wearing gas masks, walking toward crowd near Taylor Hall
81. 705/4-1-32 National Guard personnel walking toward crowd near Taylor Hall
82. 705/4-1-33 National Guard personnel walking toward crowd near Taylor Hall, tear gas has been fired
83. 705/4-1-34 National Guard personnel walking toward crowd near Taylor Hall, tear gas has been fired
84. 705/4-1-35 National Guard personnel walking toward crowd near Taylor Hall, tear gas has been fired
85. 705/4-1-36 National Guard personnel walking toward crowd near Taylor Hall, tear gas has been fired
86. 705/4-1-37 National Guard personnel walking toward crowd near Taylor Hall, tear gas has been fired

705/4-2: May 4, 1970 (continued)

Scope & Content: Events covered include the rally on the Commons, gathering of students in this area, the presence of Ohio National Guard troops on campus, and other events leading up to, during, and in the immediate aftermath of the May 4 shootings.

87. 705/4-2 Contact sheets, May 4, 1970
88. 705/4-2-4 National Guard personnel, television crew in front of burned ROTC building
89. 705/4-2-5 Man in scuba mask (?) with a camera (Terry Norman), other people stand and walk nearby
90. 705/4-2-6 Onlookers on roof of campus building (Stopher Hall?)
91. 705/4-2-7 People leaving the Commons area, National Guard personnel and tear gas in background
92. 705/4-2-8 People leaving the Commons area, National Guard personnel and tear gas in background
93. 705/4-2-9 People leaving the Commons area, National Guard personnel and tear gas in background
94. 705/4-2-10 Smoke from tear gas canister in front of Taylor Hall
95. 705/4-2-11 Line of National Guard personnel, walking forward, wearing gas masks, with weapons
96. 705/4-2-12 National Guard personnel shown from behind, wearing gas masks, with rifles, bayonets fixed
97. 705/4-2-13 National Guard personnel shown from behind, with rifles, bayonets fixed
98. 705/4-2-14 Small crowd of people in foreground, National Guard personnel in background
99. 705/4-2-15 Small crowd of people in foreground including man with black flag, National Guard personnel in background
100. 705/4-2-16 Man with black flag, covering face, other people stand watching behind him
101. 705/4-2-17 Crowd in parking lot, including man with black flag, some people are covering their faces
102. 705/4-2-18 People standing and walking near edge of parking lot
103. 705/4-2-19 People running, one person is in the act of throwing something
104. 705/4-2-20 Trees and streetlight
105. 705/4-2-21 Tree branches in right foreground, small group of people standing facing the area of the new Library building
106. 705/4-2-22 People ducking and running for cover in and around a parking lot
107. 705/4-2-23 People ducking and running for cover in and around a parking lot
108. 705/4-2-24 People lying prostrate on ground
109. 705/4-2-25 An injured person on ground (Joseph Lewis?), with others standing around him, National Guard personnel in background, Don Drumm sculpture in left foreground
110. 705/4-2-26 An injured person (John Cleary) being given first aid, near Don Drumm sculpture
111. 705/4-2-27 An injured person (John Cleary) being given first aid by Dwayne White (center), near Don Drumm sculpture
112. 705/4-2-28 Group of people gathered closely around an injured person
113. 705/4-2-29 An injured person being given first aid
114. 705/4-2-30 An injured person being given first aid
115. 705/4-2-31 Group of people outside Taylor Hall
116. 705/4-2-33 Crowd around Don Drumm sculpture and Taylor Hall
117. 705/4-2-34 Crowd around Don Drumm sculpture and Taylor Hall
118. 705/4-2-35 Crowd around Don Drumm sculpture and Taylor Hall
119. 705/4-2-36 Crowd around Don Drumm sculpture and Taylor Hall
120. 705/4-2-37 Crowd around Don Drumm sculpture, injured or slain person being taken to ambulance

May 4 Collection -- Box 28A
Folder -- Contents

Processing Information: Box 28A contains photographs arranged in numerical order by News Service Photography Department numbers. The first part of the number (for example, 705/4) identifies the date on which the photo was taken, starting with the year, then the month, then the day. Thus, 705/4 indicates that the photo was taken in 1970 on May 4. The remainder of the News Service number refers to the file and frame numbers assigned to the negatives (for example, 1-15A refers to file 1, frame 15A). Contact sheets have not been scanned as all images contained on them have been printed and scanned.

705/4-3: May 4, 1970 (continued)

Scope & Content: Events covered include the rally on the Commons, gathering of students in this area, the presence of Ohio National Guard troops on campus, and other events leading up to, during, and in the immediate aftermath of the May 4 shootings.

Please note: If you click on a link below, the image will open in a new window or tab. To return to this finding aid, click back on this window or tab in your browser.

1. 705/4-3 Contact sheets, May 4, 1970
2. 705/4-3-5 People scattered around Taylor Hall
3. 705/4-3-5A Row of National Guard personnel at the crest of hill near the Pagoda sculpture
4. 705/4-3-7 Row of National Guard personnel coming down the hill near the Pagoda sculpture
5. 705/4-3-8 Television crew, filming National Guard personnel
6. 705/4-3-9 Television crews, filming National Guard personnel
7. 705/4-3-9A Row of National Guard personnel, wearing gas masks, carrying rifles, walking forward
8. 705/4-3-10A-11 Glenn Frank, KSU faculty member and faculty marshal, running
9. 705/4-3-12A Glenn Frank, KSU faculty member and faculty marshal, getting into an ambulance
10. 705/4-3-13 Ambulance driving away, small group of onlookers near Taylor Hall
11. 705/4-3-14 Ambulance driving away, small group of onlookers near Taylor Hall
12. 705/4-3-15 National Guard on campus, students and others stand and sit in the background
13. 705/4-3-15A Terry Norman with camera surrounded by National Guard personnel
14. 705/4-3-16A Terry Norman with camera with National Guard personnel
15. 705/4-3-17 Close-up of National Guardsman in gas mask, examining a small document
16. 705/4-3-18 Close-up of Terry Norman
17. 705/4-3-19 Close-up of Terry Norman
18. 705/4-3-20 Police officer walking with a man with a briefcase (KSU graduate student Harold Reid)
19. 705/4-3-20A Police officer and unidentified man, talking to a man (KSU graduate student Harold Reid) whose briefcase is placed on the ground
20. 705/4-3-22 National Guardsmen talking to a man (KSU graduate student Harold Reid)
21. 705/4-3-22A Police officer with a man (KSU graduate student Harold Reid)
22. 705/4-3-25 National Guard personnel and jeeps, with crowd in background
23. 705/4-3-26 National Guard personnel and jeeps, with crowd in background
24. 705/4-3-27 National Guard personnel and jeeps, with crowd in background
25. 705/4-3-27A Closer view of National Guard personnel and jeeps, with crowd in background
26. 705/4-3-28 People on the roof of building
27. 705/4-3-29 People on the roof of building
28. 705/4-3-29A National Guardsman being put onto a gurney
29. 705/4-3-31 National Guardsman on a gurney

705/4-4: May 4, 1970 (continued)

Scope & Content: Events covered include the rally on the Commons, gathering of students in this area, the presence of Ohio National Guard troops on campus, and other events leading up to, during, and in the immediate aftermath of the May 4 shootings.

30. 705/4-4 Contact sheets, May 4, 1970
31. 705/4-4-1A Crowd of people walk and stand in and around the Prentice Hall parking lot
32. 705/4-4-2A Crowd of people walk and stand in and around the Prentice Hall parking lot, Taylor Hall sign is visible
33. 705/4-4-3A An injured or slain person being moved on a stretcher, with a crowd of people surrounding
34. 705/4-4-4 An injured or slain person being moved on a stretcher, with a crowd of people surrounding
35. 705/4-4-4A An injured or slain person being moved on a stretcher, with a crowd of people surrounding
36. 705/4-4-5A An injured or slain person being moved on a stretcher through a parking lot, with a crowd of people around
37. 705/4-4-6A KSU faculty member Glenn Frank talking to a crowd of people, blood in parking lot is visible in background
38. 705/4-4-7A Man with black flag, jumping in a puddle of blood, with a crowd of people around
39. 705/4-4-8A Man with black flag, standing in and looking at a puddle of blood, with a crowd of people around
40. 705/4-4-9A Crowd of people in the distance, others in foreground walk towards the crowd gathering
41. 705/4-4-10A Crowd of people in the distance, gathered into a group
42. 705/4-4-11A Closer view of crowd of people gathered into a group
43. 705/4-4-13 Crowd of people, some standing, others sitting, gathered into a group
44. 705/4-4-14 Closer view of crowd gathered into a group
45. 705/4-4-14A Crowd of people gathered into a group, some on a building rooftop, including faculty members
46. 705/4-4-15 Seated crowd of people including faculty members
47. 705/4-4-15A Seated crowd of people, shown from a distance
48. 705/4-4-17A Damaged sign for Campus Day 1970, National Guard personnel and vehicles in background
49. 705/4-4-19 Damaged sign for Campus Day 1970, National Guard personnel and vehicles in background
50. 705/4-4-19A National Guard personnel talking to five men near the burned out ROTC building
51. 705/4-4-20A National Guard personnel talking to five men near the burned out ROTC building
52. 705/4-4-22 National Guard personnel and vehicles
53. 705/4-4-22A Burned out ROTC building with National Guard personnel and others nearby
54. 705/4-4-24 Burned out ROTC building with National Guard personnel and others nearby
55. 705/4-4-25 Burned out ROTC building with National Guard personnel and others around building
56. 705/4-4-26 Burned out ROTC building with National Guard personnel and others around building
57. 705/4-4-27 Crowd of people on one side of rope, National Guard personnel on the other side
58. 705/4-4-28 National Guard personnel and vehicle in foreground, crowd gathered by Taylor Hall in background
59. 705/4-4-29 National Guard personnel and vehicle in middle ground, crowd in the background. Media personnel is in foreground
60. 705/4-4-29A National Guard personnel and vehicle in middle ground, crowd in the background. Media personnel are in foreground
61. 705/4-4-30A National Guard personnel and crowd shown from a distance
62. 705/4-4-31A National Guard personnel, some kneeling with weapons, near a rope barrier
63. 705/4-4-33 Tear gas, crowd near Taylor Hall
64. 705/4-4-34 Tear gas launched through the air, some people are nearby
65. 705/4-4-34A Tear gas, crowd near Taylor Hall
66. 705/4-4-36 People gathered behind a rope barrier, Art Building is visible in background
67. 705/4-4-36A National Guard personnel in the area near the burned out ROTC building, Power Plant is visible in background

Separated Materials: Please note that for Kent State University News Service photographs taken of May 4 related events occurring after May 4, 1970, there are additional relevant images in the main University Photographs collection held in Special Collections & Archives. Consult with Special Collections & Archives staff for more information.

705/5: May 5, 1970

68. 705/5-1 KSU President Robert I. White addressing the media at a press conference

705/18: May 18, 1970

69. 705/18-1-9 Sign reading "Kent State University Authorized Personnel Only" in foreground, police officer and vehicles in background (possible check-point)

709/28: September 28, 1970

Scope & Content: Event covered is a memorial service in honor of the four slain students.

70. 709/28-2-24A KSU President Robert I. White in the midst of a crowd of people (memorial service for slain students)
71. 709/28-6-14 Dean Kahler and man in a military jacket (memorial service for slain students)
72. 709/28-6-20 Dean Kahler on stage, with large audience in background (memorial service for slain students)
73. 709/28-8-7 Dean Kahler speaks, others on stage look on (memorial service for slain students)
74. 709/28-8-11 Dean Kahler on stage, shaking hands with a priest (memorial service for slain students)

715/3 - 715/4: May 3 - 4, 1971

Scope & Content: Event covered is the first annual commemoration of the Kent State shootings, 1971.

75. 715/3-3-12A A man stands near a cone marked with an "A" and holds a lantern, while others look on during candlelight vigil (first annual commemoration)
76. 715/3-3-13 Evening photo, with tracers of candle light near Victory Bell in front of Taylor Hall (first annual commemoration)
77. 715/4-1-13 Man speaking to a crowd on campus (first annual commemoration)
78. 715/4-1-21 People lined up on both sides of street (first annual commemoration)
79. 715/4-1-25 Crowd gathered outside campus building (first annual commemoration)
80. 715/4-4-10A Man addresses a crowd, President White in background (first annual commemoration)
81. 715/4-7-20 Man in tree takes photographs, a crowd looks on (first annual commemoration)
82. 715/4-7-24 Woman addresses a crowd (first annual commemoration)
83. 715/4-7-28 Man addresses a crowd (first annual commemoration)
84. 715/4-7-29 Man wearing a Nixon mask addresses a crowd (first annual commemoration)
85. 715/4-8-7 Dean Kahler on stage, looks on, President White in background (first annual commemoration)
86. 715/4-8-11 Woman addresses a crowd, President White in background (first annual commemoration)
87. 715/4-8-12 Woman addresses a crowd, President White in background (first annual commemoration)

755/4: May 4, 1975

Scope & Content: Event covered is the fifth annual commemoration of the Kent State shootings, 1975.

88. 755/4-5-11 Candlelight vigil May 4, 1975 (fifth annual commemoration)

775/4: May 4, 1977

Scope & Content: Events covered include the seventh annual commemoration of the Kent State shootings and the Gym Annex/Tent City protest, 1977.

89. 775/3-11 Aerial view of Gym Annex site, with surrounding buildings labeled, proposed footprint of annex outlined, and locations of injured and slain victims noted
90. 775/4-3-8 Dean Kahler holds a candle where Jeffrey Miller died at the candlelight vigil (seventh annual commemoration)
91. 775/4-6-23 Audience member, with tears in her eyes at May 4, 1977 ceremony (seventh annual commemoration)
92. 775/4-6-30 "The truth demands justice" banner on front of stage, Dean Kahler and others including William Kunstler and Ron Kovic, are seated on stage (seventh annual commemoration)
93. 776/29-1 Aerial view of Tent City, detail
94. 776/29-2 Aerial view of Tent City

875/4: May 4, 1987

Scope & Content: Event covered is the seventeenth annual commemoration of the Kent State shootings, 1987.

95. 875/4-3-32 Man and woman holding candle where Jeffrey Miller died at vigil (seventeenth annual commemoration)

895/13: May 13, 1989

Scope & Content: Event covered is the nineteenth annual commemoration of the Kent State shootings, 1989.

96. 895/13-6-8A Man and woman holding candle at vigil (nineteenth annual commemoration)