In today’s digital age, people are constantly snapping photos of everything imaginable – from selfies and meals to pets, travel destinations, and even random objects. The convenience of digital cameras and mobile photography has made it effortless to capture moments without much thought. As a result, our phone galleries and hard drives are overflowing with images, often featuring multiple shots of the same subject.
However, the photo-taking culture hasn’t always been so casual. In the past, individuals didn’t have the luxury of instantly documenting memories with a device. They approached photography with more thoughtfulness, carefully choosing what to capture on their film rolls and how to compose their shots. There is a certain charm in holding a physical photograph, much like holding a book – it carries a tactile sensation, a distinct scent, and unique characteristics that develop over time. Looking at old photos, whether in physical or digital form, can evoke a sense of nostalgia and transport us back in time.
If you appreciate rare and intriguing historical photographs, you’re in for a treat. Bored Panda has curated a delightful collection of captivating moments from the Old Historical Pictures Facebook group and the Historical Pictures IG page, which collectively have a following of over 360,000 people. Take a leisurely stroll down memory lane as you explore these images, and be sure to show your favorite ones some love by upvoting them. And don’t miss out on our fascinating chat with Denise Levenick, the founder of The Family Curator, as she shares insights on preserving and digitizing old photographs and heirlooms.
Denise Levenick is a renowned expert in handling and preserving old photographs. As a writer and researcher specializing in family photos, documents, and memorabilia, she has authored books on archiving family heirlooms and has conducted workshops and lectures on the subject. Levenick’s passion for preserving family history was ignited in her childhood, inspired by her grandmother’s stories and the treasures she inherited that depicted her family’s past.
From captivating images of historical moments like the Vespa Family in the 1950s to heartwarming scenes like the rescue of a horse in Amsterdam in 1929, these photographs offer a glimpse into the past that is both informative and nostalgic. Levenick’s dedication to preserving family history through photos and keepsakes underscores the importance of cherishing our heritage and the stories they hold.
August 30, 1905: The Sun by Gabriel Lekegian. Image credits: historicalpics1#8 Budapest (1914) by André Kertész. Image credits: historicalpics1#9 Two Apsaroke Native Americans on horseback outside of a tipi in a snow-covered forest in Montana in 1908. Image credits: historicalpics1
When it comes to storing old, precious photos, it’s essential to follow proper guidelines. According to Levenick, all photos should be stored in a clean and dry place with moderate temperature and humidity. The best location is typically inside your home, away from light and heat. She suggests storing photos in an acid-free box or file folders, positioned on their edge to prevent rubbing. Plastic boxes are not always safe for photos and can trap moisture leading to mildew.
The Passing of the Train at Nailsworth, Dudbridge on August 23, 1965. Image credits: historicalpics1#11 The Sagrada FamÃlia in Barcelona in 1905. Image credits: historicalpics1#12 Trollhättan, Sweden in the early 1900s. Image credits: historicalpics1
It’s important to recognize that not all old photos need to be kept. While some may be eager to declutter and throw away family keepsakes, old photos provide valuable insights into our ancestors’ lives. Levenick advises keeping photos of family, friends, homes, events, and other significant moments. It can be helpful to scan photos for safekeeping and pass on the originals to family members if storage space is limited.
Mother and Child on a typical day in San Francisco, 1952 by Dorothea Lange. Image credits: historicalpics1#14 Piccadilly Circus, London, 1954 by Cecil Beaton. Image credits: historicalpics1#15 Winter Landscape from Herstedvester by Peder Mørk Mønsted, 1923. Image credits: historicalpics1
Old photographs can hold valuable clues to family history mysteries. Details such as fashion, hairstyles, props, and backgrounds can help identify when a photo was taken and the subjects’ identities. Family photos can also reveal the relative ages of children and changes within the family group over time.
‘Roman Bridge,’ Mosul, Iraq in the 1930s by Aurel Stein. Image credits: historicalpics1#17 Barber and Beauty Shop in Bedrock City, Valle, Arizona, 1987. Image credits: historicalpics1#18 Future Queen Elizabeth II being carried up the steps of Balmoral Castle in 1927. Image credits: historicalpics1
Levenick emphasizes the importance of preserving family heirlooms along with their stories. Without the context provided by a story, these items may lose their significance. Sharing the stories behind family keepsakes ensures that their meaning is passed down through generations.
The expert archivist advises that handwritten letters, printed photographs, and greeting cards are becoming less common. She emphasizes the significance of small gestures, such as a handwritten thank-you note, as a testament to penmanship and thoughtfulness. Levenick advocates for preserving genuine old-school memorabilia, stating that our ancestors’ memories strengthen us. Instead of buying new decor with a vintage feel, she urges using authentic vintage items. She suggests creative ways to repurpose old photos and heirlooms, such as digitizing and enlarging them for wall art or pillows. Levenick also recommends showcasing inherited cameras as decor and passing down vintage jewelry to younger family members.
Levenick shares her personal favorite heirloom, a vintage Singer Featherweight sewing machine from her Aunt Frances, which she cherishes using, feeling a connection to her aunt. The expert leaves us with valuable insights into the importance of preserving and celebrating our heritage through tangible objects and stories.
A New York City Municipal Ferry in Staten Island in 1895, as seen in an image from the Library of Congress. Additional historical images include Angie Means standing on a giant Amazonian water lily pad in Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in 1898, a public telephone in Paris in 1982 by Gilles Caron, a school class in Paris in 1956 by Robert Doisneau, London cafes in the 1980s, selling chocolates and sweets on the streets of Kensington, London in 1930, and more interesting snapshots from various locations and time periods around the world.
Appalachian Mountains in the early 1930s – Image credits: Journey through Time
Woodward Coal Breakers, Kingston, Pennsylvania, 1895 – Image credits: Weird, Fantastic and Odd Things
Paris in Color, 1920s – Image credits: historicalpics1
Miners using an “Aerial Tram” to descend into the Kimberly Diamond Mine in South Africa, ca. 1885 – Image credits: historicalpics1
Waterloo Station in the 1930s. Taxis are queuing up on the left waiting for an incoming train. Enhanced and colorized – Image credits: historicalpics1
University of Illinois frat boys in the comfort of their apartment circa 1910 – Image credits: historicalpics1
San Francisco. Steep Hill, North Beach 1952 – Image credits: historicalpics1
Broadway and Fifth Avenue, 1950s. By Rudy Burckhardt – Image credits: historicalpics1
Railroad overpass at the Bingham Mine, USA, 1914 – Denver Public Library – Image credits: historicalpics1
The Jewish Market on New York’s East Side – circa 1895 – Image credits: historicalpics1
Hyatt Regency San Francisco, San Francisco, California – Built in 1973. Photo by John Portman Archive – Image credits: historicalpics1
Hollywood Blvd in 1961 – Image credits: historicalpics1
Chilles 17-Pdr Tank Destroyer uses a building for cover near Goch, Germany – 20 February 1945 – Image credits: Journey through Time
Cars on Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast, 1960s. By Ray Atkeson – Image credits: historicalpics1
Some wonderful color footage of New York City in 1915 – Image credits: historicalpics1
