Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Glass Plate Negatives
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Division of
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry
NMAH.AC.1089
Archival Resource Key
2.5 Cubic feet
5 boxes
1869-1920, undated
English
.
Restrictions on Access
Collection open for research on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Date and source of acquisition unknown.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into nine series.
Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Glass Plate Negatives
Series 1: Boilers
Series 2: Bridges
Series 3: Hydraulic Engineering
Series 4: Lighthouses
Series 5: Machinery
Series 6: Rigging, Shop, Work and Office Scenes
Series 7: Steam Engings, Turbines, Equipment
Series 8: Structures and Construction
Series 9: Miscellaneous
Preferred Citation
Mechanical and Civil Engineering Glass Plate Negatives, 1915-1980s, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Kamina Gager, intern, 2024; supervised by Alison Oswald, archivist.
Ownership and Custodial History
Artificially created collection, collected for the Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering's reference collections. Transferred to the Archives Center in 2007 by the DIvision of Work and Industry.
Scope and Contents note
Glass plate negatives (10 in 8 in; 5 in x 4 in; and 8.5 in x 6.5 in.) documenting civil and mechanical engineering activities, equipment, facilities, and projects. Some of the subjects are boilers, engines, turbines, lighthouses, aqueducts, bridges, factories, roads, hydroelectric stations, kilns and mills. Few of the images are identified.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Aqueducts
Boilers
Bridges
Civil engineering
Engines
Factories
Kilns
Lighthouses
Mills
Photographs -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass
Roads
Turbines
Water-power
Boilers
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
undated
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives depicting images of industrial activity related to boilers. Notable boilers captured are of the Campbell and Zell Boiler Room and Shop in Baltimore and of Babcock and Wilcox. Also includes various boiler parts and factory images. Glass plates are 8 in x 10 in.
Campbell and Zell Boiler Room
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
1
Campbell and Zell Boiler Shop Baltimore
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
2
Campbell and Zell Boiler Shop Baltimore 1/5
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
3
Campbell and Zell Boiler Shop Baltimore 2/5
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
4
Campbell and Zell Boiler Shop Baltimore 3/5
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
5
Campbell and Zell Boiler Shop Baltimore 4/5
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
6
Campbell and Zell Boiler Shop Baltimore 5/5
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
7
MMS 37 Boiler Battery
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
8
MMS 24 Boiler Battery
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
9
Boiler Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
10
Babcock and Wilcox
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
11
Boiler Factory
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
12
Industrial Parts Storage
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
13
Image of destroyed building
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
14
Looking Down West of Boilers From Right of Chimney
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
15
Bridges
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives documenting civil and mechanical engineering activities related to bridges. Few of the images are identified, but named bridges are the Boulder Park Bridge, Middletown Draw bridge, and the Easton Suspension Bridge. Bridge types include burr truss, bowstring truss, skew truss, steel truss, chain, swing draw, swiss draw, bascule, and suspension. The glass plates are 8 in x 10 in, 4 in x 5 in, and 6.5 in x 8.5 in.
Decorative Masonry Park Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
16
Decorative Masonry Park Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
17
Men Driving To Burr Trusses Long or Chain Bridge, Washington, D.C.
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
18
Interior View Long or Chain Bridge Burr Truss, Washington, D.C.
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
19
Swing Draw Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
20
Swing Draw Bridge with donkey on the banks of the river
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
21
Boardwalk Bridge from Town
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
22
Walkway Bridge from Town
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
23
Boulder Park Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
24
Boulder Bridge Park
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
25
Draw Span, Bascule Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
26
Multi Span Bascule Swing Drawbridge (Middletown)
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
27
Bascule Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
28
Steel Truss Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
1
Bowstring Truss from Middletown Draw Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
2
Steel Truss Bridge End View with 'Walk Your Horses' Signs
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
3
Skew Truss Railroad Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
4
Two Track Steel Truss Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
5
Small Park Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
6
Small Park Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
7
Small Park Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
8
Small Park Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
9
Park Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
10
Park Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
11
Middletown Draw Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
12
Middletown Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
13
Middletown Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
14
View of Turntable Swing Draw Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
15
People Walking Across Arched Bridge Over River
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
16
Interior of Bridge Tender's Shack, Electric Draw Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
17
Japanese Humpback Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
18
Small Concrete Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
19
Tunnel Under Bridge with Icicles/Stalactites
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
20
40, Natural Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
21
Portage Viaduct Erie Railroad
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
22
H.G. Tyrrell's Proposed Memorial Bridge Rendering
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
23
Equestrian Monument
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
24
Two Men a top Park Steel Arch
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
25
Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
26
Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
27
Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
28
Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
29
Rough Terrain Before River
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
30
Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
31
Bridge Over River, Town in Distance
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
32
Crowd of People on Bridge over Water
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
33
Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
34
Workers on Bridge Over River
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
35
Bridge Across River
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
36
Easton Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
37
Easton Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
38
Easton Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
39
Tyrell Easton Park Suspension Foot Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
40
Easton Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
41
Easton Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
42
Tyrell's Easton Suspension Bridge
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
43
Hydraulic Engineering
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives documenting civil and mechanical engineering activities relating to hydraulic engineering. Glass plates are 8 in x 10 in and 4 in x 5 in.
Riverside Town and Klock Boat
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
44
View of Canal into Lake
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
45
Moveable Dam 2/2
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
46
Chicago Water Tower
Archival Resource Key
1869
2
47
Moveable Dam 1/2
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
48
Hydraulic Station
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
49
Lighthouses
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives documenting civil and mechanical engineering activities related to lighthouses, their construction, and their parts. Few of the images are identified, but named lighthouses are the Minot's Ledge lighthouse, Liston's Rear Delaware, and Spectacle Reef Lake Huron Lighthouse. Also featured is the 1893 Columbian Exposition. The glass plates are 8 in x 10 in, 4 in x 5 in, and 6.5 in x 8.5 in.
Light House Far View
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
1
Light House on Hilltop with Traintracks
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
2
Lighthouse Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
3
Lighthouse in Water
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
4
Lighthouse Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
5
Lighthouse Construction on Land
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
6
Lighthouse Construction with Scale
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
7
Construction Plan for Minot's Ledge Lighthouse
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
8
Lighthouse and Reflection
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
9
Lighthouse Exterior
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
10
Lighthouse Construction with Boat for Scale
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
11
Lighthouse Construction with Boat for Scale
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
12
Island Lighthouse Distant View
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
13
Water View from Lighthouse
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
14
Lighthouse Among Fenced Trees
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
15
Small Lighthouse in Water
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
16
Men in Rowboat Near Lighthouse on Water
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
17
Suspended Lighthouse
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
18
William J.T. Bell Painting of a Lighthouse, Washington D.C.
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
19
Painting of a Lighthouse
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
20
Spectacle Reef Lake Huron Lighthouse Blueprint
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
21
The Intensities and Luminous Ranges (Data) of a Lighthouse
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
22
Cross-Section Plan of Foghorn Building
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
23
Working Machine
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
24
89, Lighthouse, home and out buildings in field, undated
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
25
Lighthouse Machine Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
26
Interior Center of a Lighthouse
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
27
Center of a Lighthouse
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
28
Lighthouse Machinery
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
29
Lighthouse Lightroom
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
30
Liston's Rear Delaware Lightstation Core Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
31
Lighthouses and Farm
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
32
Peabody 2, Columbian Exposition Exhibit of Lighthouse Lenses
Archival Resource Key
1893
3
33
Lighthouse in City, Woman on Top
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
34
View of Lighthouse, snow on ground
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
35
Lighthouse Among Trees
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
36
Machinery
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives documenting miscellaneous civil and mechanical engineering activities related to machinery. A good portion of the images are identified, including Altroy Damper Regulator, Drinhaus-Stiker refridgerating machine, Fiat Diesel and American Diesel power plants, Philadelphia's Concrete Mixer Pipe No. 70, Bucyrus steam shovel, and Outer Diamond Shoal. The glass plates 8 in x 10 in, 4 in x 5 in, and 6.5 in x 8.5 in.
Altroy Damper Regulator, 5/5
Archival Resource Key
circa 1903
4
1
Altroy Damper Regulator, 4/5
Archival Resource Key
circa 1903
4
2
Altroy Damper Regulator, 3/5
Archival Resource Key
circa 1903
4
3
Altroy Damper Regulator, 2/5
Archival Resource Key
circa 1903
4
4
Altroy Damper Regulator, 1/5
Archival Resource Key
circa 1903
4
5
Industrial Machinery
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
6
Machine Room with 'Decimal Equivalents' Sign
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
7
Machine Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
8
Machine Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
9
Machine Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
10
Machine Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
11
Drinhaus-Stiker Refrigerating Machine
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
12
Drinhaus-Stiker Refrigerating Machine
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
13
Drinhaus-Stiker Refrigerating Machine
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
14
31455, Fiat Diesel, Used in Hall of Heavy Machinery
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
15
Rope Drive Failure
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
16
1884, Concrete Mixer Pipe, 70. Philadelphia
Archival Resource Key
1920
4
17
82, Rock Drill Exhibit at Columbian Exposition
Archival Resource Key
1893
4
18
38-18, Interior of American Diesel Power Plant
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
19
Bucyrus Steam Shovel
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
20
Frame Work For Making Borings at Outer Diamond Shoal, from Newport News Virginia
Archival Resource Key
May 1894
4
21
Factory Exterior
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
22
Factory Exterior
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
23
Rigging, Shop, Work and Office Scenes
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives documenting civil and mechanical engineering activities related to rigging and shopwork scenes, mostly showing construction projects and the people behind them. the glass plates are 8 in x 10 in.
Workers Pose at L.A. and Company Construction Site
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
24
Workers Pose by Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
25
Curtis Turbine Rigging, PEPco 'E' Street 5th
Archival Resource Key
1906
4
26
Curtis Turbine Rigging, PEPco 'R' Street South
Archival Resource Key
1906
4
27
Workers Posing Outside Wilderness Building
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
28
Laying C.V. Pipe, Washington D.C.
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
29
Laying C.I. Sewer or Water Pipe, Washington D.C.
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
30
Steam Engines, Turbines, Equipment
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives documenting civil and mechanical engineering activities related to steam engines and turbines. Most of the images are identified; named subjects include the U.S.S. "North Dakota" engine room, Evieson Hot Giv engine, Willans high speed engine and direct coupled generator, Russell engine, Gao engine, Tandem compound corliss engines, Riedler air compressors, 2-cylinder steam sngine, Bryant Street pumping station, Thresher Electric Company, and the Largo Worthington steam pump. Thge glass plates are 8 in x 10 in, 4 in x 5 in, and 6.5 in x 8.5 in.
7874, Outline of U.S.S. "North Dakota" Engine Room
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
31
Engine or Generator
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
32
Engine Room
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
33
Engine Room
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
34
Evieson Hot Giv Engine
Archival Resource Key
1880
4
35
223, Willans High Speed Engine and Direct Coupled Generator at Columbian Exposition
Archival Resource Key
1893
4
36
2090, Generators and Russell Engine, Columbian Exposition
Archival Resource Key
1893
4
37
2071, Russell Engine, Columbian Exposition
Archival Resource Key
1893
4
38
First Gao Engine
Archival Resource Key
July 1846
4
39
51, Tandem Compound Corliss Engines on Riedler Air Compressors
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
40
MMS 38, Tandem Compound Corliss Driving Air Compressor
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
41
2 Cylinder Steam Engine
Archival Resource Key
1870
4
42
Man and Interior Machinery Cogs
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
43
159, Bryant Street Pumping Station, Washington D.C.
Archival Resource Key
circa 1905
5
1
Industrial Power Room
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
2
Generator Room
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
3
Thresher Electric Company Generator Room
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
4
Industrial Power Room Interior
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
5
Potomac Electric Power Company Machine
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
6
Industrial Power System
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
7
MMS 25 84, Largo Worthington Steam Pump
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
8
Machinery Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
9
Industrial Machinery
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
10
Generator Equipment
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
11
Machine Part
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
12
Structures and Construction
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negatives documenting civil and mechanical engineering activities related to various construction projects and structures. Few of the images are identified, but many depict the same scene or project. Named projects that show up in multiple images include the Washington, D.C. sewage pumping station, Columbian Exposition ferris wheel, and Gas and Coke Works. Other construction projects include factories, railroad tracks and stations, wreckage, and scaffolding/framework. The glass plates are 8 in x 10 in, 4 in x 5 in, and 6.5 in x 8.5 in.
Roofing Materials for Washington, D.C. Sewage Pumping Station
Archival Resource Key
March 2, 1906
5
13
Roofing Framework of Washington, D.C. Sewage Pumping Station, Claudy Photo
Archival Resource Key
January 1, 1906
5
14
Construction Framework of D.C. Sewage Pumping Station, Claudy Photo
Archival Resource Key
January 1, 1906
5
15
Roofing Materials for Washington, D.C. Sewage Pumping Station
Archival Resource Key
January 31, 1906
5
16
D66 52-02, Washington, D.C. Sewage Pumping Station
Archival Resource Key
December 27, 1905
5
17
50-27 776, Washington, D.C. Sewage Pumping Station
Archival Resource Key
December 27, 1905
5
18
Columbian Exposition Ferris Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1893
5
19
Columbian Exposition Ferris Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1893
5
20
Columbian Exposition Ferris Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1893
5
21
Columbian Exposition Ferris Wheel Side View
Archival Resource Key
1893
5
22
8627, Ferris Wheel Under Construction, World Fair Jackson Park Chicago
Archival Resource Key
1893
5
23
Quarry Guy Darrick, Unknown Location, From Old Printed Word Connecticut Avenue D.C.
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
24
Gantry Crane, Unknown Location, From Old Printed Word Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
25
Segovia Aquaduct
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
26
13, Stone Mill with Iron Overshot Wheel Near Philadelphia
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920
5
27
8-15 696, Rock Cut and Shovel
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
28
Rock Cut and Shovel
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
29
601, Rock Cut and Shovel
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
30
Large Power Plant and River Siene, H. Wright, Newton Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
31
Gas and Coke Works, F.H Wright, Newton, Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
32
Small Coal Pocket Northeast Gas and Coke Works New England, F.H. Wright, Newton, Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
33
Gas and Coke Works, F.H Wright, Newton, Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
34
Coal Pocket, New England Gas and Coke, Small Wide Angle, F.H. Wright, Newton, Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
35
Gas and Coke Works, F.H Wright, Newton, Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
36
Construction Area
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
37
Exterior Structure Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
38
Machinery Work on Constructing Building
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
1
Machinery Construction by River
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
2
Stewart and Wilmoth Railroad Contractors Laying Down Rail Lines
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
3
Building Rails
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
4
Workers on Building Construction Site
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
5
Building Foundation
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
6
Constructing Railways in Washington D.C.
Archival Resource Key
circa 1906
6
7
Railway Lines on Rocky Terrain
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
8
733, Railroad Tunnel Work
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
9
RR Station Depot Columbia Pennsylvania
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
10
8534/36, Train Tracks Chicago
Archival Resource Key
1893
6
11
Connecting Power Lines to Building
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
12
Building Scaffolding or Supports
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
13
Building Interior Pillars
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
14
Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
15
Brennan Construction Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
16
Factory Construction in Washington D.C.
Archival Resource Key
circa 1906
6
17
Second Floor Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
18
38-4075, City Construction Scene
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
19
760, Large Office Building Under Construction
Archival Resource Key
circa 1905
6
20
Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
21
Building Exterior Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
22
Workers and Partly-Constructed Building
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
23
Construction Work
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
24
Building Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
25
Building Construction Materials
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
26
Brick Pile and Building Construction
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
27
Building and Reflection
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
28
Horse and Carriage Outside Construction Site
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
29
Industrial Tubing at Construction Site
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
30
Man Atop Industry Building Wreckage/Supplies
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
31
Industry Support Beams
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
32
Workers and Demolished Beams
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
33
Industrial Beam Frame
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
34
Industry Support Beams
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
35
Industry Beam Support Structure
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
36
Industry Beam Supports
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
37
Miscellaneous
Series 9
Archival Resource Key
Scope and Contents
Contains one item, which is a glass plate negative depicting John Worrell Keeley, copied from the William J. Hammer Collection. The glass plate is 8 in x 10 in and cracked in half horizontally.
John Worrell Keeley, Copied From William J. Hammer Collection
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
38
Scope and Contents
Glass plate negative depicting John Worrell Keeley, copied from the William J. Hammer Collection. Plate is 8 in x 10 in and cracked in half horizontally.