The Historical Image Collection
The Historical Image Collection (The Archives) are a unique collection of prints from The Pittsburgh Salon of Photographic Art and The Photo Section of the Pittsburgh Academy of Science and Art competitions since the 1920’s. We have scanned and made them available through our digital archives data base.
We have scanned all of the The Pittsburgh Salon of Photographic Art catalogs from 1914 to 1980, inclusive.
The Archives and the Library of Congress
In 2025 the Academy of Science and Art donated a significant portion of the prints from The Historical Image Collection (The Archives) from 1914 until 1980. to the Library of Congress.
On 29 September 2025, the Library of Congress announced the acquisition of the Historical Archive Collection of the Photographic Section of the Academy of Science and Art of Pittsburgh.
“Our Historical Image Collection, from decades of international salons and club competitions held by the The Photographic Section of the Academy of Science and Art of Pittsburgh (colloquially known as The Pittsburgh Photography Club) since the early 1900s, is a cornerstone of our legacy and our mission to share the rich story of amateur photography. With more than 700 images, many created by members who helped establish and shape the Photographic Society of America, the collection captures both the artistry of generations of photographers and the history they witnessed. By entrusting it to the Library of Congress, we are ensuring that this visual heritage will be preserved and accessible to inspire photographers, historians, and the public for generations to come.”
Frederick Doerfler
President, The Photographic Section of the Academy of Science and Art of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Photography Club)