Vintage photos of Washington, DC. Ordinary people on stoops, sidewalks, and streetcars. Faces and corners of a city most of us would no longer recognize.
This 1890 photograph shows a group riding horse-drawn carriages through Rock Creek, years before the National Park Service formally established Rock Creek Park. See if you can recognize the area today.
In this captivating photo from the early 20th century, a group of men and one woman are intently watching an aerial display. Learn the story behind this snapshot and the historical context surrounding it, captured by renowned photographers Harris & Ewing.
Take a rare look at Union soldiers guarding the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1861. Georgetown University is visible in the background. Photo by George Barnard.
Take a journey back in time to 1964 with this photo of Rosslyn, DC, taken from Georgetown. Get a glimpse of what the city looked like over half a century ago.
Discover a pivotal moment in history with Mathew Brady’s stunning photo of Washington, D.C. in 1865, capturing the end of the Civil War era.
Step back in time to the 1922 Annual Beauty Contest at the Washington Bathing Beach. Explore the stunning winners and fashion trends of the era.
Explore the lives of young boys working at the Alexandria Glass Company in the 1910s through a series of photographs taken by Lewis Hine. Learn more about one of the boys through a fascinating history page.
This blog post examines a photograph of Washington, D.C. taken from a building near the Lotus Club in 1939. The image depicts a street scene showing streetcars crossing at 14th Street and New York Avenue, providing a unique aerial perspective of the city during that era. The post reflects on the historical significance of the photograph, serving as a time capsule of the past and a reminder of the rich history of our nation’s capital.
Discover the frozen Tidal Basin of the past with this fascinating historical photo. See the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in the distance, and learn about the history of ice skating and walking on the Tidal Basin. Read on to learn more.
