Award-winning photographer works available for purchase at Milford Museum

Collection of photographs by Melva Jane Bradford on display and for sale at the Milford Museum

The family of the late Melva Jane Bradford, whose landscape, animal and still life photos received multiple awards, donated a large portion of her collection to the Milford Museum. The items are now for sale at the museum.

“The collection contains a wide array of scenes, including landscapes, animals and still life,” Denise Curtis, a board member with the museum, said. “Some are framed and matted while others are available for you to surround with your own frame.”

Bradford grew up in the Milford-Frederica area but traveled the world as a member of the United States Air Force. After tours in Maine, Germany and Washington, DC, she was assigned to the Communications Center at the Pentagon before transferring to Dover Air Force Base as the first enlisted single WAF. Although Bradford enjoyed being back in her native state, a promotion took her to Virginia where she passed away. At the time of her death, she was planning a move back to her home state.

Melva Jane Bradford

“She was considered by many to be a renaissance woman,” Curtis said. “She owned and fixed her own cars, enjoyed computers and, of course, cameras. She saw beauty in everything as is evident in her photographs.”

Many of the photographs taken by Bradford can be found at the Delaware State Archives as well as the University of Delaware. Her work has also been featured in several books published by Holly Press in Hockessin. In addition to the collection of photographs, Bradford’s family donated an additional $500 to the museum.

Milford Museum is located at 121 South Walnut Street in Milford. Their hours are 10 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday. For more information, call 302-424-1080 or email [email protected]. Photographs can also be purchased online by visiting the Support link on the museum website.