Stereoscopic Collection

Stereoscopic views consist of two nearly identical photographs. When viewed through a stereoscope, the image presents the illusion of spatial depth and dimension. Millions of stereoscopic views were produced between 1850 and 1930. They were a source of information and entertainment, perhaps second only to reading as an American leisure activity. From personal family scenes produced by amateurs to travel, architecture, and landscapes created by commercial photographers, the subject matter of stereoscopic views was limitless. The wide variety of images make stereoscopic views valuable to researchers. Because stereo cameras were small, photographers used them in situations where large-format cameras were unsuited. Stereoscopic views may show images not recorded in larger formats.

The Hayes Presidential Center Stereoscopic Collection contains more than 2000 images of individuals, events, and locations, both in the United States and in other countries. The bulk of the collection is images created during the nineteenth century. Many of the images were donated to President Rutherford B. and Lucy Webb Hayes during Hayes’ term as president of the United States (1877 - 1881). Others were donated to the Hayes Presidential Center.

The Hayes Presidential Center’s stereoscopic views are arranged by subject. The list provides the subject headings, names of individuals shown in the images, locations (state name within the United States, or country), brief descriptions of the images, the number of stereoscopic views for each subject category, and physical location within the collection. The Hayes Center also maintains a list of the names of the photographers who produced the images. Hayes Presidential Center patrons may view an image by requesting it by name or subject category.