A rare look at Union soldiers guarding the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1861. See the incredible photo, thanks to Reddit.

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.

Discover the power of collective mourning and the importance of honoring our fallen leaders as we look back at Abraham Lincoln's funeral procession in 1865. This poignant image captures the solemnity of the event and the way that people can come together in times of grief to pay tribute to those who have passed. Read on to learn more about the significance of this historical moment in American history.

The Civil War reached the outer edges of Washington in 1864. It was so close that President Lincoln rode near the front lines of Fort Stevens and came under fire.

Take a look at this unbelievable photo of the South Lawn of the White House during the Civil War. Unbelievably, there are people sitting on what appears to be a low stone wall on the south side of the White House. Take a look at this incredible photo from the National Archives.

Uncovering the faces of regular African-Americans in the 1860s, this beautiful old photo from the National Archives captures the lives and work of those living around Alexandria. Learn more about these individuals and check out photos of young boys working in the area.

We recently came across a rare picture of Chain Bridge in 1861. Click through to read more and see this historic image from the Library of Congress.

Uncovering the sad truth of the past, Slave Pens existed in and around all of Washington in the 1860s. This photo shows one of those in Alexandria during the 1860s. Learn more at the Library of Congress.

Take a look at these incredible photos of the Steam Frigate Pensacola in Alexandria, VA during the Civil War in 1861. Click on it for amazing details and check out more photos here!

This photo captures a captivating moment in time on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1865 at the end of the Civil War. See the soldiers, civilians and children standing in front of a large brick building in this amazing image from the New York Public Library.

Take a closer look at this incredible image from the end of the Civil War. It shows F Street in the 1860s and the details are quite incredible when you click on the photo. Can you figure out where this is exactly?

Take a look back at the Treasury Building before the Civil War in 1860 with a photo from the Library of Congress. Learn more about this historic building from this blog post.

Get a better look at the Old State Department Building during the Civil War with this amazing photo. Click on it for some amazing details and find out why there are a large number of wooden boxes at the main entrance to the building.

Take a step back in time with this 1861 photo of Washington, DC. Click on it for a larger version and marvel at the history of our nation's capital! Source: Library of Congress.

Discover an alternate view of Meridian Hill in 1867 with our new blog post from Ghosts of DC. See what streets have changed and which have stayed the same. Click to explore the map!

Take a look back in time and explore Columbia Heights in 1869 with John Sherman's Subdivision. This property map is full of interesting details, like old street names and the location of Pierce's Mill. Click to learn more!

This photo shows the Smithsonian castle as it looked just after the Civil War.

Take a look at this rare photo of the Capitol Dome under construction during the early days of the Civil War. View this amazing piece of American history captured in time.

Take a look back in time with these beautiful photographs of the Alexandria Railroad Roundhouse during the Civil War. Click on the images for a larger, more detailed version. You won't be disappointed!

Explore the 1861 Civil War map of Arlington, a reconnaissance map created by Benjamin Church. View the unusual orientation of the map, with north being down and to the right. Click here to view a larger version and study it.

Step back in time and explore the fascinating history of Alexander Gardner's 1863 photographic gallery in Washington, DC. View the original image and learn more about this historical figure.

Check out this amazing Civil War-era map of the Washington Aqueduct. See how the Aqueduct and the C&O Canal looked in 1864. Source: Library of Congress.

Take a look back at the history of the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. with this series of photos showing its construction in the 1860s. Explore the progress and final result of the building's design and architecture.

Stunning old image of the Treasury building during the Civil War.

Take a step back in time and explore a Civil War-era photo of Independence Ave. This incredible photo showcases the Smithsonian Institution Building and the U.S. Capitol dome, taken before the 1865 fire. Source: Smithsonian Archives.

What did the Capitol look like in 1865? See unpaved roads on Capitol Hill in this detailed image.

Take a look at the program from April 14, 1865 at Ford's Theater - the night President Lincoln was assassinated. You can see the characters, actors and the ticket prices for the show. Incredible to think of what that audience experienced that night.

The Library of Congress has a large collection of graphic arts created over the course of two centuries. They depict famous locations and subjects. There are a large number dedicated to capturing the assassination and aftermath of President Lincoln. Below are an assortment, with descriptions. The text below this work says, “President Lincoln’s Last Reception, Respectfully Dedicated to...

Celebrate the 152nd anniversary of the D.C. Emancipation Act, which ended slavery in the District of Columbia and freed almost 3,000 slaves in Washington. Read the transcript of the bill and learn about the events of April 17th, 1862 in local newspapers.

Get a rare glimpse of Washington, D.C. from Capitol Hill with this historical photograph. The image features the Washington Jail, Aldrich's Wholesale Flour, Grain & Feed Warehouse, and more.