KDHamptons readers, here’s a fantastic upcoming photography exhibit at the Southampton Historical Museum that you won’t want to miss!

“Southampton Blue Book, 1930 to 1960: Photographs by Bert Morgan” an exhibit of photographs courtesy of Patrick Montgomery, The Bert Morgan Archives, will open to the public at the Southampton Historical Museum on Saturday, May 10, 2014 and remain on view through Saturday, October 18, 2014. In a career that spanned more than half a century and established him as the dean of society photographers, Bert Morgan spent many weekends photographing Southampton’s tony summer residents.

This exhibit presents a sampling from the thousands of photographs Morgan took of Southampton’s society fixtures at their exclusive clubs, or as guests at private parties, weddings and galas. Photographs of the young Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy competing in a local horse show were selected from the more than 500 photographs Morgan took of Jacqueline Kennedy [top & below] and her family.

Born in 1904, Morgan came to America with his British parents when he was seven. After starting his career with a $7 camera bought in a pawn shop, he eventually struck out on his own in 1930 as a freelance photographer. He once told an interviewer that he had worked his way into the social field by using common sense. “I got to know the Southampton group, the Newport group, the group that went every day to the races, the group that regularly went to Jamaica and Bermuda. Shortly, no matter where I went, I found plenty of people I knew I could make pictures of.”  He said that in 50-plus years, he had followed society through three phases: the Four Hundred; Café Society, “which haunted the Stork Club and El Morocco; and the Jet Set.

Morgan penetrated the inner circles of high society, impressing his subjects with his gentle professionalism and discretion. Because they trusted him never to show them in an unkind way and were charmed by his geniality, they invited him to their parties and were happy to oblige when he asked them to pause for a moment or two on their way to the beach. The pleasing prints would be sent to his subjects for purchase as well as to fashionable publications like Town & Country and Vogue.

Ticket-holders for the museum’s “Insiders View of Southampton Homes” will be guests at a preview of “Southampton Blue Book, 1930 to 1960: Photographs by Bert Morgan” on Saturday, May 31, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The public is invited to an opening reception at the museum on Saturday, June 7, from 4 to 6 p.m.

This exhibit takes place at the Rogers Mansion, a property of the Southampton Historical Museums and Research Center, located at 17 Meeting House Lane in Southampton, NY. The Mansion is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 am to 4 pm. For more information please call (631) 283-2494 or visit www.southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org.

Details for featured photos:

1. Jacqueline Bouvier Leading a Pony, August 1934, Southampton Riding & Hunt Club by Bert Morgan

2. Jacqueline Bouvier Jumping, July 29, 1939 at the Southampton Riding & Hunt Club by Bert Morgan

3. Mrs. Winston Guest with Dog, Southampton Bathing Corporation, ca 1953 by Bert Morgan

4. Diana Vreeland posing outside of the Southampton Bathing Corporation, ca. 1953 by Bert Morgan

5. Henry Ford II wedding (to Southampton Socialite Anne McDonnell Ford), July 13, 1940 by Bert Morgan