We can learn a lot by looking at historical photographs!
Photographs are an important document that historians use to understand what everyday life was like for people in the past. By carefully studying the scenes and people in pictures, such as what they are wearing, what they are doing and the objects around them, we can learn a lot about how their daily lives were similar to or different from life today. Photographs are a primary source – just like a diary or letter – and can be read and analyzed, too! Sometimes, photographs create more questions than they answer, though. Often, historians don’t know who took a picture or who is in it. However, by looking closely at the photographs, we can find clues that help us investigate further!
If your students have fun examining these pictures, you can search the Ohio Memory Digital Library for more images! Enjoy!
