E. L. Weems, Black Photographer

For over 50 years, Ellie Lee Weems (1901-1983) photographed and documented life in a segregated Jacksonville. He was born in McDonough, George and moved to Duval County in 1929.  His home and business was located at 434 W. Beaver Street.  From weddings, social events, graduations, parties, to just normal life, he captured it on film.  The Ritz Theatre and Museum on Davis Street has a whole exhibit with photographs and information about the life of Weems.  

According to the Florida Times Union, he studied at Tuskegee Institute under Cornelius Marion Battey, “prominent photographer and instructor”.  Weems died at the age of 82 and is buried in South-View Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia. 

Many of Weem’s photographs can be seen at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, Ritz Theatre and Museum, and the University of North Florida.  The exhibit at the Ritz Theatre and Museum highlights many of his important and historical photographs also showing his camera equipment type, and more.

See you tomorrow.

Sources, Henry County, Institute, 193, Jacksonville.gov, Florida Times Union, Saunders Murray, Ritz Theatre and Museum, Find a Grave, Atlanta Constitution, Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey.