New Online Photo Collection Provides Glimpses into Delaware’s Past

Over 2,000 images of Delaware life in the 1920s and 1930s are now only a couple of clicks away, thanks to an initiative by the Delaware Public Archives (DPA) to digitize its entire Board of Agriculture glass negative collection. This collection includes much more than just agricultural photos, however. By visiting de.gov/deagphotos, you can also view photos of people, schools, factories, automobiles, popular attractions and historic sites throughout the First State. The Board of Agriculture collection is critical because there is little photographic documentation of Delaware during this particular era.

The online home for this collection of photos is the Delaware Heritage Collection, which was established under the auspices of the Delaware Division of Libraries in late 2010 for the purpose of making digital images of interest to the public more readily available. To date, the vast majority of the 10,000 images accessible through the Delaware Heritage Collection have been provided by the Delaware Public Archives.

The addition of these materials compliments other DPA contributions on the Delaware Heritage Collection site, such as the Jackson and Sharp Railroad and Ship Collection of photographs, American Civil War materials, and the Archives’ collection of World War II photographs. The site also features scanned images of the complete Laws of Delaware, beginning with the first volume published in 1797.

The Delaware Public Archives (http://archives.delaware.gov) is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. It serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.

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