Photographs

Alvin Bell, Josephine Kirst Bell, Nadine Bell (Graham), c. 1911, from the Roslyn Hoffman Pritchett family pictures.

The photograph file consists of a general collection of images of Arkansas and its people as well as larger specific collections. The majority of the collection consists of black and white prints on paper and safety negatives. Although the Arkansas History Commission has not actively collected color images, some color visuals are available. There are limited numbers of rarer photographic images such as daguerreotypes, tintypes, ambrotypes, and cyanotypes. Also included are non-photographic images such as line drawings, postcards, engravings, and portraits.

Full access to the photograph collection is possible through a simple three-part system composed of (1) the catalog (2) the photocopied guide, and (3) the descriptive guide. Searchable access to digital images of nearly 13,000 of our historical images is available through our Stage One Digitization Project. Other resources available are the Shrader Negatives Database with 60,000 personal and business name entries, the Thomas Harding Photographs, and an online list of early Arkansas Photographers. While digital images are available for purchase online, to request a copy of other photographs see the Photograph Order Form.