Paul Shreves Collection

Collection Items

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1940 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Winter
Film
1940 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Winter
circa 1940
1939 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Picnic
Film
1939 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Picnic
circa 1939
1939 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Winter & Florist Scenes
Film
1939 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Winter & Florist Scenes
circa 1939
1946 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Halloween part 1
Film
1946 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Halloween part 1
circa 1946
1946 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Halloween part 2
Film
1946 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Halloween part 2
circa 1946
1939 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Neighborhood
Film
1939 circa: Angel Guardian Orphanage Neighborhood
circa 1939
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Collection Identifier
C.2012-11
Extent of Collection
6 reels of 16mm film totaling approximately 600 feet
Language Of Materials
English
Custodial History
The films were originally shot and cared for by Paul Shreves. Having no next of kin, the films were given to Ray Mertens (a friend of Paul's) by those liquidating the Shreves' estate. The films were then passed onto Ray's daughter, Diana Mertens, who donated the films to CFA in November of 2012.
Creators
Shreves, Paul (was created by)
Little is known about Paul Shreves at this time. He was born around 1920 and was raised in the Angel Guardian Orphanage, located in Chicago's Roger's Park neighborhood. He and his wife lived in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago from approximately 1940 to 2005. At Christmas, the two decorated their front walkway as "Candy Cane Lane," which often attracted local visitors during the holiday season. Paul played the organ as a hobby, and had a theater-style pipe organ in the basement of his home. His house was later sold with the organ intact, as it could not be removed without destroying it. Paul Shreves passed away around 2005 with no next of kin. The organization in charge of liquidating his estate gave his home movies to Paul's friend, Ray Mertens (1920-2010). Paul and Ray met as alter boys at St. Henry's Church (North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660) and through the greenhouse Ray's father owned on Wolcott Avenue.