Will Seippel | January 16, 2026

Collecting vintage items is most certainly a historical pursuit. Whether it is a piece of pottery, a work of fine art, or a collection of documents and photos, any item that commemorates or tells the story of a historic time should be preserved. Future generations of collectors and history enthusiasts depend on this generation to help protect any pieces that come from landmark milestones in our time.

I put the History in Photographs collection together so that those who come after us can learn from the images it contains. It’s a wealth of knowledge, with more than 50,000 images from decades ago that depict both historic events and everyday life. What they give us is priceless.

The photos are from collections of negatives and prints I have gathered over the years. Not only have they provided me with hours of enjoyment, but sharing them with others has allowed our WorthPoint users to learn more about history. I selected a few of the photos to be examined by Meghan Boehmer, a historical interpreter, reenactor, and writer who has traveled thousands of miles throughout her career to learn about historical locations, records, and the daily lives of those in our past.

The collection isn’t limited to a single family or photographer, as is often the case with vintage photo collections. There are more than 50,000 images that came from several photographers, and the photos and negatives span 200 years of history. The best part of my job is getting to go to estate sales, antique markets, and even tag sales to hunt for collectibles and antiques. Ephemera like photos, documents, and letters are a favorite of mine, so any time I see historical pictures or other records, I have to check them out. I’ve been extremely fortunate to find and secure the rights to these photos, which are more than just paper and ink to me, but rather the voices of now silent witnesses to history.

Sharing the images and hearing others’ input about them brings us closer to the events in the photos, whether they show battle-worn soldiers or family events. We’d love to hear more from our readers; if you see a photo here and know something that would add context, let us know. For every photograph, there is a story, usually more than one. These stories bring history alive and teach this generation something about their own past. Do you see something you recognize in any of these pictures? Let us know here.