Rinhart, Floyd, 1915-

Rinhart, Floyd, 1915-

Floyd Rinhart moved to Coral Gables, Florida, from New Jersey in September, 1923 at the age of seven. Floyd grew up on Giralda Avenue, a short distance from the Venetian Pool. Coached by Olypmpic legend and movie star Johnnie Weis muller, Floyd soon became a junior swimmer of note in Southern Florida. During summer vacations, Floyd travelled back to Asbury Park, New Jersey, to see family and friends. There he met Marion Hutchinson, and a childhood romance culminated in marriage in 1935.

Following World War II, Floyd worked as an executive for Lindley Lumber Company. The Rinharts lived in a variety of Florida's east coast towns, and for a short time in St. Petersburg. Following a move to Deerfeild Beach in 1955, the Rinharts developed a keen interest in the history of photography. They began to collect early American photography, and their extensive research led to the publication of American Daugerrian Art, in 1967, and American Miniature Case Art, in 1969.

From 1964 to 1966, the Rinharts conducted their research in Washington, DC. Upon their return, the rinharts moved to Floridiana Beach, a town some twenty miles north of Vero Beach. Floyd continued to work for the Lindley Lumber Company in Fort Pierce, some forty miles away. In 1978, the Rinharts moved to Athens, Georgia, where proximity to the University of Georgia allowed for continued research and the teaching of a two-week seminar in the Art Department. Throughout the years, the Rinharts have continued to write and publish on the history of photography.

Ohio State University now houses the Rinharts' collection of early American photography. The University of Miami Library acquired a second collection, consisting of rare and historical photographs and images of Florida.