The Lillian Virginia Mountweazel Research Collection

Mountweazel made a significant contribution to the EPA’s Documerica project by focusing her photography on New York City buses. 

 

Documerica was an environmental photography initiative aimed at documenting and raising awareness about various ecological and social issues across the United States. Through her efforts, Mountweazel provided a compelling visual narrative that supported Documerica’s mission to promote environmental and social awareness.

 

She was driven by her fascination with internal combustion engines, Mountweazel delved into both the mechanical intricacies of the buses and their environmental impact. Tragically, all the negatives from this part of her photo essay were lost in a mysterious fire at the bag check of The Brewster Residence in Brooklyn, New York. 

 

Despite this setback, her remaining photographs vividly captured the vibrant activity of the city’s public transportation system, showcasing buses as vital connectors of diverse communities. Mountweazel’s work highlighted not only the functionality of the buses but also the daily lives of New Yorkers who rely on them, emphasizing the relationship between urban transit and environmental sustainability.