Browse online presentations of early photographs from the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS). These images include portraits taken by some of Boston's most notable photographers as well as depictions of locations in and around Boston. One of the first demonstrations of Louis Daguerre’s new and revolutionary photographic process, the daguerreotype, took place during the spring of 1840, in the rooms of the Society (at that time located on Tremont Street in Boston), and the MHS immediately started collecting photographic images.
Many of the photographs featured here are on display from 11 March until 3 June 2011 at 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, in the exhibition, History Drawn with Light: Early Photographs from the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Daguerreotypes are reversed photographic images captured on a light-sensitized silver-plated sheets of copper. Daguerreotype portraits were physically uncomfortable, time consuming and expensive to make, but quickly became extraordinarily popular. By 1850 Boston was home to dozens of daguerreotype studios including the partnership of (Albert S.) Southworth and (Josiah J.) Hawes; and John A. Whipple--who would soon be joined in partnership by James W. Black.
Although the majority of the extant daguerreotypes from the Daguerrian Age, 1839-1860, are studio portraits, many of the earliest daguerreotypes were of architecture, as the exposure times of these images were so lengthy that people could not be recorded. The collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society include a daguerreotype of Faneuil Hall in Boston--one of the earliest photographic images of that building; a daguerreotype of Dighton Rock, a notable landmark near Berkley (Mass.); and an ambrotype (photographic image on glass) of the Dowse residence in Cambridgeport.
The popularity of stereoscopic city views meant that in the aftermath of the Great Boston Fire of 9-10 November 1872, photographers were able to create before and after photographs of the destruction caused by the fire.
Francis Parkman One example of a photograph taken in 1883 by Marian Hooper Adams.
Eleanor Brooks Saltonstall An excellent example of an image taken by amateur photographer Sarah Lawrence Brooks in 1886.
Branded hand See and read about the daguerrotype depicting the branded hand of Captain Jonathan Walker.
Photographs by Francis Blake Explore a Massachusetts inventor's fascination with photography during the late 19th century.
Photographs of Native Americans
Striking photographs of Native Americans taken between 1860 and 1913, selected from four different collections held by the MHS.
Massachusetts 54th Regiment Web presentation of photographs and a few broadsides relating to the first Black regiment that fought in the Civil War.
The Atkins Family in Cuba
Selections of photographs of one of the most prominent families in the U.S.-Cuban sugar trade.
