Minneapolis Photo Collection

The Minneapolis Photo Collection Web Database contains approximately 10,000 digital images from the Minneapolis Public Library's historical photo collection. The strength of the photo collection is in images of people, buildings, and events dating from the 1850s to 1960. Each photo is accompanied by a brief description. The staff may be able to supply other information about specific photographs. We are pleased to make these images available to you electronically. For information on these photos contact the Special Collections Department via e-mail specialcollections@mplib.org or telephone (612) 630-6350.

Basic Search

KEYWORDS (Searches all fields)

YEARS/DECADES

ACCESSION NUMBER

Searching Tips

  • Type a word or phrase in one or more of the search boxes.
  • Use an ampersand (&) between words if you want each word to be present.
  • Use a slash (/) between words if you want either word to be present.
  • Use an asterisk (*) to truncate your search terms (e.g. swim* will retrieve swimming and swimmers). Note: many of the descriptive search terms are entered as plurals (airplanes, buildings, churches, hats, stores, streets, theaters).
  • A space can serve as a substitute for a comma or a period (e.g. Bromley Edward is the same as Bromley, Edward).
  • When searching names, use "Lastname, Firstname" or "Lastname Firstname" format.
  • Use the abbreviations for streets (St) and avenues (Ave); i.e. 3rd St, 24th Ave, Portland Ave. Usually directions of the street aren't critical to the search.
  • Capitalization will not affect the results of the search.
  • Follow this link for examples of Year/Decade formats.

    Questions or comments? Contact us at specialcollections@mplib.org attn: Minneapolis Photos or at 612-630-6350.


    Retrieval software: DB/Text WebPublisher, provided by