Photography

The millions of photographs in the Museum's collections compose a vast mosaic of the nation's history. Photographs accompany most artifact collections. Thousands of images document engineering projects, for example, and more record the steel, petroleum, and railroad industries.

Some 150,000 images capture the history, art, and science of photography. Nineteenth-century photography, from its initial development by W. H. F. Talbot and Louis Daguerre, is especially well represented and includes cased images, paper photographs, and apparatus. Glass stereographs and news-service negatives by the Underwood & Underwood firm document life in America between the 1890s and the 1930s. The history of amateur photography and photojournalism are preserved here, along with the work of 20th-century masters such as Richard Avedon and Edward Weston. Thousands of cameras and other equipment represent the technical and business side of the field.

Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1890. Walter Bracken in a suit and hat on a horse.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1890. Walter Bracken in a suit and hat on a horse. Walter Bracken would later be in charge of the Union Pacific Railroad in Nevada.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.30
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.30
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1900. Woods in Florida with Spanish moss on the trees.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959).
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1900. Woods in Florida with Spanish moss on the trees.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.39
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.39
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910.Beekeeper and beehives, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959).
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910.Beekeeper and beehives, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.77
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.77
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Picnic in the woods with musical instruments.Two people holding musical instruments (clarinet and guitar) and one couple is in a horse-drawn buggy in the background.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Picnic in the woods with musical instruments.
Two people holding musical instruments (clarinet and guitar) and one couple is in a horse-drawn buggy in the background. Family indicates these are friends of the photographer.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.34
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.34
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Veternarian floating the teeth of a Horse, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959).
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Veternarian floating the teeth of a Horse, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.65
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.65
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1900.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1900. The Floral Grove Hotel in Florida with guests and horse-drawn carriages in front of the two-story structure.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.36
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.36
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Asahel and 13 other people in parlor at Hussey farm house, all dressed in black. Photographer's landscape painting is visible on the back wall. Mt.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Asahel and 13 other people in parlor at Hussey farm house, all dressed in black. Photographer's landscape painting is visible on the back wall. Mt. Pleasant, Ohio
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.59
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.59
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1890. The granite Pyramid to the Confederate Soldiers at the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1890. The granite Pyramid to the Confederate Soldiers at the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.02
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.02
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. ; Picnic in woods (GLASS BROKEN), Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.Group picture in a woods. Two tennis rackets in foreground. Fred Updegraff is seated on the right end of the front row. Note the wooden tennis racquets.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. ; Picnic in woods (GLASS BROKEN), Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
Group picture in a woods. Two tennis rackets in foreground. Fred Updegraff is seated on the right end of the front row. Note the wooden tennis racquets. Family indicates these are friends of the photographer.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.73
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.73
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1903. A coal mine tipple with Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Cars in Dillonvale, Ohio.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959).
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1903. A coal mine tipple with Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Cars in Dillonvale, Ohio.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.17
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.17
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1903.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1903. A group of men at the construction site of a railroad bridge and tunnel with a fenced-in field and trees in the background in Dillonvale, Ohio.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.16
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.16
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1890. The view of Washington, D.C. from the top of the Washington Monument.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959).
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1890. The view of Washington, D.C. from the top of the Washington Monument.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.03
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.03
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey. The Hussey family is posing on the front steps of the house. Members include Walter J. Hussey, wife Bess and sons; John D.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey. The Hussey family is posing on the front steps of the house. Members include Walter J. Hussey, wife Bess and sons; John D. Hussey with son John and wife Eleanor; Curtis Hussey, wife Alice and their daughter Francis Ann; Horace Hussey and wife Elizabeth with their daughter Jane; Margaret Hussey and Elizabeth Hussey.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.65
catalog number
2011.0090.65
accession number
2011.0090
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey. Three generations of Hussey men; Asahel, Walter J., and John D. Hussey pose on the steps of a farmhouse.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey. Three generations of Hussey men; Asahel, Walter J., and John D. Hussey pose on the steps of a farmhouse.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.62
catalog number
2011.0090.62
accession number
2011.0090
Glass plate negative by Walter J. Hussey. Three boys and two girls in a yard. Two of the boys are playing marbles. These are the photographer's children. L.
Description
Glass plate negative by Walter J. Hussey. Three boys and two girls in a yard. Two of the boys are playing marbles. These are the photographer's children. L. to R.:Horace, Curtis, Margaret, Elizabeth, John.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.50
catalog number
2011.0090.50
accession number
2011.0090
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. People in parlor dressed in fancy clothes.Twenty-five people dressed in formal clothes posing in the parlor in the Hussey farmhouse. Two of photographer's landscape paintings are on the back walls.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. People in parlor dressed in fancy clothes.
Twenty-five people dressed in formal clothes posing in the parlor in the Hussey farmhouse. Two of photographer's landscape paintings are on the back walls. Fred Updegraff first in the third row. Family indicates these are friends of the photographer. Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.58
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.58
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Portrait of Martha Newby Nussey (Asahel's wife - married in 1862, photographer's mother), Mt.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Portrait of Martha Newby Nussey (Asahel's wife - married in 1862, photographer's mother), Mt. Pleasant, Ohio
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.75
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.75
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Hussey family and guests at front porch of the Husey farm house, c.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Hussey family and guests at front porch of the Husey farm house, c. 1924 (left to right: standing - Horace, Margaret, Esther [Helen's daughter], Curtis, Elizabeth, Walter; sitting - Helen [Walter's sister holding camera in her lap, [unknown], [unknown], Bess).
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.55
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.55
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1900.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, circa 1900. A Florida hotel complex consisting of its buildings, palm trees, and the shoreline with a body of water in the foreground.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.37
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.37
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey. Portrait of Walter and Bess Hussey, left, posing with an unidentified couple in front of the house.The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey. Portrait of Walter and Bess Hussey, left, posing with an unidentified couple in front of the house.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.60
catalog number
2011.0090.60
accession number
2011.0090
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Three men and a child, posed in front of light colored backdrop.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Three men and a child, posed in front of light colored backdrop. Brick wall visible above the backdrop.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.76
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.76
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Quaker friends staying at the Hussey farm during the 10-day Ohio Yearly Meeting held in the large 3-story Mount Pleasant Yearly Meeting House capable of seating 2,000 people.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1885-1910. Quaker friends staying at the Hussey farm during the 10-day Ohio Yearly Meeting held in the large 3-story Mount Pleasant Yearly Meeting House capable of seating 2,000 people. Asahel, Martha, Helen, and guests in the front yard at the Hussey farmhouse (seated - Matthew Terrell, Hester Terrell, Ruthana Cattell, [unidentified]; standing - Hellen Hussey, Asahel Pettit, A. Pettit's wife, Martha, Asahel.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1910
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2010.0080.56
accession number
2010.0080
catalog number
2010.0080.56
Glass plate negative by Walter J. Hussey. The Hussey and Willioams families posing on the porch.
Description
Glass plate negative by Walter J. Hussey. The Hussey and Willioams families posing on the porch. Screen door is open.
Back row: Bess Hussey holding Elizabeth Hussey, Walter Hussey, Helen Williams (Walter's sister), Duncan Williams holding Duncan Williams II; Middle row: John Hussey, Horace Hussey, Martha Hussey, Asahel Hussey, Ester Williams; Front: Paul Williams, Curt Hussey.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.52
catalog number
2011.0090.52
accession number
2011.0090
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1903. Fourteen men on railroad tracks, in front of a coal mine tipple, that is under construction. In the background there is a hill with many trees.
Description
Glass plate negative made by Walter J. Hussey, 1903. Fourteen men on railroad tracks, in front of a coal mine tipple, that is under construction. In the background there is a hill with many trees. This was taken in Dillonvale, Ohio.
The collection in the Photographic History Collection consists of over two hundred glass plate negatives made by Walter J. Hussey (1865-1959). These glass plate negatives consist of daily life in and around Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Hussey's friends and family, studio portraits, his trips to the Washington, D.C. area, and Florida.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903
maker
Hussey, Walter J.
ID Number
2011.0090.14
accession number
2011.0090
catalog number
2011.0090.14

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