Photo Exhibits

Photo exhibits spotlight various topics in Florida history, and are accompanied by brief text intended to place selected materials in historical context.

Key West - The Dale M. McDonald Exhibit

This exhibit contains selected images from over 5,000 slides and photographs in the Dale M. McDonald Collection which document art exhibits, businesses, boating events, attractions, community events, landscapes, residences, and street scenes in Key West.

Firefighter and photographer Dale McDonald was born in Key West, Florida on October 2, 1949. McDonald began taking photographs while a student at Key West High School. After graduation in 1968, McDonald enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his service in the Air Force, McDonald was assigned to Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California as a Still Photographic Specialist.

McDonald left the Air Force in 1972 and returned to Key West, where he began a career as a firefighter with the Naval Air Station. McDonald was promoted several times and, in 1987, he became an Assistant Fire Chief.

With the help of his wife Ann, Dale McDonald opened his photography studio, "Keys Photographic Services," in 1993. The McDonalds performed aerial, underwater, wedding, and other types of photography assignments.

Outdoor portrait of Ann McDonald

Outdoor portrait of Ann McDonald

Portrait of Key West Naval Air Station fire rescue Assistant Chief Dale M. McDonald (1998

Portrait of Key West Naval Air Station fire rescue Assistant Chief Dale M. McDonald (1998

Portrait of Key West photographer Cory McDonald (1993)

Portrait of Key West photographer Cory McDonald (1993)

Sergeant 2nd Class Dale M. McDonald, base photographer, in his barracks room (1971)

Sergeant 2nd Class Dale M. McDonald, base photographer, in his barracks room (1971)

Sergeant 2nd Class Dale M. McDonald, base photographer, in his barracks room (1971)

In 1986, they began taking photographs of the Key West Fishing Tournament. Until 2000, they captured images of prized fish and tournament contestants. In 2001, Ann McDonald succumbed to breast cancer and diabetes. Following her death, Dale McDonald closed his photography business and retired from the fire service. He continued to take photographs for documentation and archival purposes. Dale M. McDonald passed away on April 22, 2007.

The Archives also houses the Cory McDonald Collection. Dale's brother Cory McDonald was born in Key West, Florida on March 30, 1946 and lived there most of his life. This collection contains over 500 color and black-and-white photographs, negatives, and slides taken in and around the Key West area, including aerials; public figures such as Presidents John F. Kennedy and Harry S. Truman and concert pianist Yehuda Guttman; military boats and planes; and hurricane damage.

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