Salt print of President James Buchanan taken by Mathew Brady in 1857. The photograph was originally a daguerreotype.

Collection includes one photograph of the French painter Pierre Edouard Frere (1819-1886) taken by Disdéri. The photograph includes eight separate photographs of Pierre reading, and posing for the camera.

A study of Andrew J. Russell's photographic documentation of American history, people, geography, and events. Historians, a photographic archivist, Russell's biographer, and a park district locomotive engineer comment on his work. Also includes a demonstration of the laborious process of taking photographs in Russell's day.

The diaries contain notes and comments on business, descriptions of many journeys around the West and commentaries on the religious and social life of the period.

Collection includes photographs taken by Savage of scenic landscapes in national parks in the western United States, photographs of the Savage family, and manuscript items related to Savage. Materials date from between 1830 and 1949.