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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Guide to the W. L. Armstrong Washingtoniana Glass Negative Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.0183
- Creators:
-
Minor, Frank (photographer)Armstrong, W. L., Mrs.
- Dates:
-
1865-1885
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
1 Cubic foot2 boxes
- Repository:
Glass plate negatives of views of Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
11 8" x 10" and 10 4" x 5" glass photonegatives, some marked "1885", one marked "1865" and "Libby Prison"), but most seem from ca. 1885; silver gelatin except two silver collodion plates, one of which bears the "1865." The large plates were stored in a nineteenth-century wooden, grooved plate box (now stored separately). Images depict buildings and sites in Washington, D.C., including: aerial or bird's-eye views possibly taken from the (unfinished?) Washington Monument; the Manassas Panorama building with the completed (capped) Monument visible in the background; Washington street scenes, especially Pennsylvania Avenue; the Smithsonian castle; the U.S. Capitol; the White House; and dredging operations to create Hains Point.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Photographer(s) and circumstances of creation unknown.
Administration
Author
NMAH Staff
Sponsor
Digitization of this collection was made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Mrs. W. L. Armstrong, February 3, 1986.
Processing Information
Collection processed by NMAH Staff, undated
Collection digitized by Noah Stewart, digital imaging technician, 2021.
Custodial History
The donor was given the plates by Frank Minor [Miner?], the uncle of a friend, Mrs. Whitney Aitchen of Laurel, Md. Minor had obtained the plates from an unidentified friend who knew of his photographic interests; apparently they had been in his possession for some years before he gave them to Mrs. Armstrong, for she noted that he was unable to print them "by that time" due to failing eyesight.
Existence and Location of Copies
Collection scanned in 2021.
Digital Content
More …Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
W. L. Armstrong Washingtoniana Glass Negative Collection, 1865-1885, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Keywords
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu