Photography - Overview
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.
"Photography - Overview" showing 3 items.
Snapshot of Young Boy at Table
- Description
- Photograph albums and amateur snapshots reflect the importance of cherished family memories. Casual and personal, these snapshots document everyday life and generations of families. Here a young boy enjoys his milk at the kitchen table.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1940s-1960s
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1999.0281.042
- catalog number
- 1999.0281.042
- accession number
- 1999.0281
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Snapshot of Family Gathering
- Description
- Photograph albums and amateur snapshots reflect the importance of cherished family memories. Casual and personal, these snapshots document everyday life and generations of families. This photograph, possibly a birthday party, documents a large family group sitting and standing around a set table.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1940s-1960s
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1999.0281.055
- catalog number
- 1999.0281.055
- accession number
- 1999.0281
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Snapshot with Car
- Description
- Photograph albums and amateur snapshots reflect the importance of cherished family memories. Casual and personal, these snapshots document everyday life and generations of families. Dating back to the invention of the automobile at the beginning of the 20th century, those who could afford cars often had their pictures taken next to the vehicle. Here two men are seen leaning against a car parked by a curb.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1940s-1950s
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1999.0281.068
- catalog number
- 1999.0281.068
- accession number
- 1999.0281
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center