Accessing World War I Photos in the Digital Age

by Richard Green, posted in Digitization, Photographs

April 6 marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I, as well as the culmination of a massive digitization project from the National Archives. Through a generous donation made by an anonymous donor, the National Archives was able to digitize over 110,000 photographs and nearly 300 reels of film related to the “Great War.”

Original Caption: That wonderful sight to so many American soldiers, The Statue of Liberty, as it greeted the 2nd Division as it arrived at New York. August 8, 1919. Local Identifier: 165-WW-139A-1

The vast majority of photographs selected for digitization came from two series: the American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs (165-WW) and the Photographs of American Military Activities (111-SC).* Both series of photographs document American activity on the home front and on the battlefield during the war years.

The “American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs” (165-WW) was originally maintained by the Committee on Public Information (CPI).  During WWI, the CPI collected photographs from private photographers and federal agencies in order to sway public opinion in favor of the war.  Following the war, the CPI disbanded and the War Department’s Historical Branch obtained custody of the photographs.  The War Department later transferred these photos, among others, to the National Archives in the early 1940s. Prior to this digitization project, these images were only available to researchers via microfiche in the Still Photos research room.

Original Caption: Spruce Production Division, Bureau of Aircraft Production. Over 4,000 feet of spruce logs awaiting completion of the Division mill at Toledo, Oregon. Local Identifier: 165-WW-206A-50
Original Caption: Human Statue of Liberty. Eighteen thousand officers and men were required to for this living Statue of Liberty at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa. September 1918. Local Identifier: 165-WW-521B-1
Original Caption: “Gobs” and Guns. A scene aboard the U.S.S. Texas, just back from foreign waters, showing the “gobs” enjoying a little fun on the big guns. Local Identifier: 165-WW-322D-43

The “Photographs of American Military Activities” (111-SC) were primarily taken or collected by the Army Signal Corps.  Although this digitization project has focused on images related to World War I, the Army Signal Corps series includes nearly 1 million images covering everything from the French and Indian War through Vietnam.   Photographs from this series have long been some of the most often requested and widely disseminated images in our holdings.

Original Caption: Two wounded soldiers enjoying refreshments from Red Cross outpost station at Chatel Chehery, Argonne Forest, Ardennes, France. October 10, 1918. Local Identifier: 111-SC-29833
Original Caption: Trenches where American soldiers started to dig in on the first night of the St. Mihiel drive and then they went 5 kilos further. Beney is seen in the center in the distance. Near Beney, Meuse, France. September 25, 1918. Local Identifier: 111-SC-25287
Original Caption: Mess Sergeant A. C. Carlson of H.D.Q. Co. of the 305th Infantry, and some of his well fed men. Ration display in the foreground. Abri du Cruchet, Ardennes, France. October 4, 1918. Local Identifier: 111-SC-29859
Original Caption: Members of the 107th Infantry, 27th Division, on guard at old French chateau. East of St. Souplet, Nord, France. October 19, 1918. Local Identifier: 111-SC-31875
Original Caption: 40th Division, Camp Kearny, San Diego, California. Various types of gas masks used by the Allies and the Germans. From left to right they are: American, British, French and German. April 19, 1918. Local Identifier: 111-SC-9194
Original Caption: Naval crew of 400 men and officers of U.S.S. “Tenadores” Army Transport, wrecked December 28, 1918 on Isle d’Yeu. Local Identifier: 111-SC-44508
Original Caption: Opening of 3rd Liberty Loan Drive on first anniversary of U.S. entry into war. Charlie Chaplin, comedy star of the “movies” making his first speech for the Third Liberty Loan in front of the State, War and Navy Building, Washington D.C. April 6, 1918. Local Identifier: 111-SC-7268

By digitizing these records, citizens all over the world can now access films and photos related to WWI without traveling to the National Archives research room.  Additionally, we hope that enhanced metadata will allow researchers to search for records in innovative ways, and make new connections that were not possible in the traditional analog-world.  Scanning these records will also limit the amount that the original photographs are handled, ensuring their preservation for years to come.**

In addition to the images in this blog, the Unwritten Record has highlighted many of these re-discovered gems over the past year. Staff has continually stumbled upon weird, inspiring, and somber images of American life a century ago.  The National Archives has gathered these photographs, as well as many other records, educational programs, and articles in a recently created, World War I Portal.

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*In addition to the two series described above, this digitization project also included two smaller series related to WWI.  They are: German Military Activities and Personnel, 1917-1918 (165-GB), and British Photographs of WWI, 1914-1918 (165-BO), which are now available in the National Archives Catalog.

**Access to the originals may still be granted in special circumstances.

16 thoughts on “Accessing World War I Photos in the Digital Age”

  1. Thank you for your hard work digitizing these images; they are fascinating and beautifully reproduced. Many, many thanks to the anonymous donor who funded this work. Digitization done well is not easy or cheap, and it’s heartening to know that someone supports this work so much that they’re willing to make a large donation to make it happen.

  2. A valiant and worthwhile endeavor. Thank you so much for all the hard work and for making the collections accessible to us all.

  4. Thank you on behalf of a family member WWI Veteran (Father-in-law, Pvt Luther D. Anderson) and the family for all your efforts and the efforts of all the Military involved in WWI. Our great Country and the World must thank them! A debt that cannot be paid.

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  8. Why doesn’t this blog have an RSS feed? I’d love to read it regularly, but I’m not going to navigate to this page daily…

    1. Glad you enjoy the blog! You should be able to click on the “Follow” button at the top right of this blog and get updates via email whenever new material is posted.

  9. It was a very moving collection to scan, glad I could be part of it. Thanks to all the veterans!!!

  10. Would you accept photos submitted by individuals from WWI? I also have some letters?

    1. Hi Cynthia, Thanks for reaching out to us and reading the blog. Unfortunately, it is the official policy of the National Archives to accession records created or maintained by the Federal Government. Only in rare circumstances do we accept donations from private individuals. I can contact you directly with more information.

  13. Thank you for taking the pain of gathering all these photos, digitizing them and putting them up on your blog. These rare unseen photographs are not just interesting to look at, but they glorify our past. The history associated with them is just magnificent.

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