High-res historical photo collections — for free!
An already great collection of images at your state Digital Archives just got even better. The State Archives recently added two digital photograph collections to Digital Archives. These online collections feature high-res shots (all at least 600 ppi) and can be accessed FOR FREE!
One is from the State Library Collection. If you’re in search of great old photos related to all things Washington, there’s a good chance you’ll find some in this collection.
We’re talking nearly 5,300 images here, covering Washington’s history, people, geography and economic development. Also included are agriculture, Boeing, bridges, canals, Capitol Campus buildings, cities, dams, expositions, fairs, ferries, fishing, forts, ghost towns, historical buildings and houses, historical markers, lakes, libraries, lighthouses, logging, mountains, Native Americans, parks, portraits, railroads, rivers, schools, Statehood, steamboats, trees, universities and colleges, waterfalls and other subjects. Whew! These photos date back to 1851, long before Washington became a state. To access this collection, go here.
The other cool, free collection features photos of several state parks while they were under development. This collection of negatives (which can be accessed here) shows work conducted on Washington state parks by Civilian Conservation Corps workers between 1933 and 1938. Images include construction of picnic areas, campgrounds, kitchen shelters, bathrooms, caretakers’ homes, trails and bridges, as well as CCC activities, camps and daily life. Currently, 433 images from Moran, Lewis and Clark, and Deception Pass state parks are cataloged. Images from Millersylvania, Riverside, Rainbow Falls, Carkeek, Denny Park, Mt. Spokane, Saltwater, Beacon Rock, Ginkgo, and Twanoh parks will be added as they are cataloged.
As far as Digital Archives can tell, the images from the two new collections it has cataloged are not copyrighted, so they are royalty-free for downloading. If someone came into the Digital Archives or State Archives office and wanted a print from either place, the charge is $5, whether it’s per square foot or a 3” x 5” print, a 5” x 7” print or an 8” x 10” print.
5 thoughts on “High-res historical photo collections — for free!”
I’m working on a 100th Anniversary video for Women in Communications which was founded at the University of Washington Journalism School as Theta Sigma Phi in 1909. I have wonderful old photos of the 7 young women and their first National Convention in 1918. I’m looking for campus after the AYP. Do you have WW1 photos troops and women serving in the state? Thank you. Nancy Wright
LOOKING FOR A PHOTO of William Gomer James who died in Spokane at the end of 1918. He was a Welsh-American blacksmith and writer whose bardic name was Gwilym Ddu o Went. I have copies of many of his articles written in the Welsh language from Spokane, Portland, and Minneapolis over many years. I’ve translated his articles into English and hope to write about him. Can anyone help me find a photo of him or his family?
Hi Martha, I’m going to ask someone over at our Archives to help search for any pictures of him.
Martha, I asked a co-worker at the Archives to look for this photo and he said he couldn’t find it. But did suggest you ask the Musuem over in Spokane, called the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Since he died in Spokane, they may have some records or photos for you.
So many of these old photography get lost and the ones that do remain often get locked away and never viewed by the public, so it’s great to hear they are not only be preserved but put online for all to enjoy.
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