Gallery: Guide to Photographic Collections
The Battle Front and the Home Front
These series contain images documenting the participation of New Yorkers, both military and civilian, in wartime. Included are scenes in Cuba during the Spanish American war, pictures of New Yorkers who fought in World War I, and images showing home front activities during World War I and World War II.
Adjutant General's Office.
National Guard, Twelfth Regiment Infantry.
A3237. Photograph Album of Cuba, 1898. .3 cubic foot
Contains approximately 300 mounted photoprints depicting scenes in Cuba during the Spanish American War. The prints show military fortifications, individual and group shots of American military forces and Cuban people, and views of buildings and landscapes. The prints range in size from approximately 3" x 3" to 8" x 10". Most prints are not labeled.
State Education Department.
Division of Archives and History.
A3167. Historical Research Working Files, 1795-1945. 8.3 cubic feet
Includes approximately 150 b/w photoprints of varying sizes. These photoprints were collected by the Office of the State Historian in the course of research and publication in various topics in local and State history. Most of the prints relate to military topics such as the celebration of the American Revolution Sesquicentennial, War of 1812 monuments and historic sites, and portraits of military veterans. There are a number of prints relating to local activities in Troy during and shortly after World War I. Arranged roughly by subject.
A0412. World War I Veterans' Service Data and Photographs, 1917-1938, bulk 1919-1924. 33.4 cubic feet
Contains personal information, service data, and over 5,000 photoprints of thousands of New York State veterans of World War I, along with some accounts of home front activities during the war. These records were gathered by local historians for a never completed publication relating to State participation in the war. Approximately two thirds of the State's communities are represented in the records (very few New York City servicemen are included). The photoprints of veterans vary greatly in size and quality. The files are arranged alphabetically by county, then alphabetically by city, village, or town.
A3166. Working Files for a Publication on New York in World War I, 1917-1925. 1.4 cubic feet
Includes about 25 b/w photoprints ranging from about 2" x 3" to about 5" x 7", showing New Yorkers who fought with foreign (mostly Canadian) armed forces in World War I. Includes formal portraits, casual shots, and a few battlefield scenes in France. Work on this publication was never completed.
New York State War Council.
A4299. Photographs of War Council Agency Activities, ca. 1942-1945. 2.2 cubic feet
Over 300 b/w photoprints, mostly 8" x 10", document the activities and staff of the War Council during World War II. Photographs depict War Council officers and personnel; the Emergency Food Commission; the Physical Fitness Office; U.S. Cadet Nurses; the War Bond program; the Home Accident Prevention program; salvage collection; migrant labor camps; Chinese labor as part of the Farm Manpower Service; publicity activities; victory gardens; and child care institutions. Arranged by topic.
A4392. Home Front Goals Promotion and Instruction Audio-Visual Materials, ca. 1942-1944. 5.2 cubic feet
Eighty color slides demonstrate home canning, promoted by the War Council to conserve food during World War II. Also, seven b/w photoprints 8" x 10" or smaller show various War Council programs and activities (salvage collection, Chinese labor as part of the Farm Manpower Service, etc.).
