The New York Public Library Released Historic Images of Boston

Gone are the days of having to flip through the pages of books to marvel at Boston circa the 1800s. Last week, the New York Public Library digitized more than 180,000 archival high-resolution images—and there are a huge amount of pictures from Boston. Since they’re not bound by copyright restrictions, the photographs, maps, botanical prints, pamphlets, and other documents are meant for free, public use.

The new additions to the digital collections include a range of texts, like 15th century Japanese literature and correspondence from Thomas Jefferson. But the amount of historic Boston relics is vast. There are manuscripts from the likes of Thoreau and Hawthorne, photos of downtown circa 1872, etchings of the harbor, letters from abolitionists, and more.

Below are a few photographs from the Boston collection, but feel free to get lost in the virtual stacks.

Scollay’s building–street view / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections

Winter scene in Winter Street / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections

View from State House / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections

Winter scene in Park Street / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections

There are also postcards with handwritten notes.

South Terminal Station / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections

Massachusetts Institute of Technology / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections

Post Office / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections

And for good measure, there’s a picture of a Boston-bred dog wearing a hat.

Studio portrait of a dog in a chair wearing a hat / Photo via New York Public Library Digital Collections