Yes, this is a photograph President Woodrow Wilson’s head. To be more precise, it is a photograph of 21,000 soldiers who were stationed at Camp Sherman in Chillicothe, Ohio during World War I standing in formation to make the shape of President Woodrow Wilson’s head. This is a type of novelty photograph that was dubbed a “living photograph.” A series of these photographs were taken across the country by, Arthur S. Mole and John D. Thomas, a pair of photographers who were based in Illinois. In addition to the head of President Woodrow Wilson, they also created living photographs of patriotic symbols like the Statue of Liberty, and Uncle Sam. Occassionally we find photographs in the archives that make us literally ask, “What is that?” As we discover more unique images, we will happily post them.

Lisa Wood
Curator for Visual Resources