The Museum's collection contains more than 1.5 million images. It is the single largest source of pictorial information for the Chicago metropolitan area from the early 19th century to the present. It also includes an extensive collection of images of American history before 1865.

The types of visual materials in the collection include:

• Prints, including etchings, engravings, and lithographs
• Photographs, including card photographs, cased images, paper prints, and negatives
• Broadsides and posters
• Postcards

Subject matter and highlights include:

• Street views and cityscapes of Chicago
• Architectural photographs by commercial photographers, primarily Hedrich-Blessing
• Engravings and lithographs by Currier + Ives, Raoul Varin, and Edwin Whitefield
• Civil War photographs, including images by George Barnard and Alexander Gardner
• Portraits of Chicagoans and American public figures, including Abraham Lincoln
• Chicago Daily News negative collection (1902-65)
• WGN Television newsfilm (1948-77)
• Collections from social service and labor organizations, such as the Infant Welfare Society, Mary McDowell Settlement House, Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and the Chicago Federation of Labor

Research

Most of the Museum's prints and photographs holdings are available without appointment in the Research Center. The staff can also conduct limited research for requests received by mail, e-mail, and fax.

Research inquiries are answered in the order received, and it may take several weeks to receive a response. Due to the number of inquiries we receive, we cannot undertake extensive research. We may, however, be able to provide better service if you visit the Research Center. Patrons who cannot visit in person may wish to hire a freelance researcher.

Reproductions

We are pleased to offer photographic reproduction services. Fees include combined charges for the one-time right to use the reproduction and our costs to produce the reproduction. Most reproduction services require 20 working days for processing after receipt of payment and our signed Letter of Agreement.

> For more information, please review our rights and reproductions request guidelines