DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER 901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Basic Information On The Availability Of Photographs Of U.S. Navy Subjects
There are several institutions that hold large collections of photographyof U.S. Navy Subjects. Four major ones are briefly discussed here. Threeare agencies of the U.S. government, and one is a private organization.
The three government agencies' collections can be roughly differentiatedchronologically:
The Naval Historical Center's PhotographicSection has a very large collection that is the best source of Navyphotography predating the 1920s. In addition, its collections include supplementalcoverage for later dates.
The National Archives' Still Picture Branch holds the Official U.S.Navy photo collection predating 1982, and is generally the most completesource of Navy photographs from the 1920s through 1982.
The Department of Defense Still Media Records Center holds the OfficialU.S. Navy photo collection from 1982 to the present.
The privately operated U.S. Naval Institutehas an extensive collection of Navy photographs from all eras.
Further information on each of these organizations is provided in briefform on subsequent pages. In contacting these institutions, you should keepin mind than none of them can support general requests or requests for morethan three or four specific subjects at a time.
NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES
The Naval Historical Center's Photographic Section has extensive pictorialreference files on all aspects of Naval history. Its own collections arethe principal source of photographs and other illustrations of U.S. Navysubjects made prior to 1920, and contain a wide selection of unique photographyfrom later years. It also holds thousands of references to Naval photographsheld by other repositories.
The Photographic Section provides LIMITED RESEARCH SERVICES in responseto written and telephone inquiries. Such requests should be as specificas possible concerning names, dates, places, ship hull numbers and otherdetails of the views wanted.
Send RESEARCH requests to:
NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER (CUP) WASHINGTON NAVY YARD 901 M STREET SE WASHINGTON, DC 203745060 TELEPHONE: 2024332765, or: DSN (Autovon) 2882765
If EXTENSIVE RESEARCH is required, it must be conducted in person. TheNaval Historical Center's photographic reference facilities are locatedin the Dudley Knox Center for Naval History, Building 44, in the Washington,D.C. Navy Yard. They are open to the Public from 9:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. onweekdays (Holidays excluded). APPOINTMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED to ensure theavailability of reference staff.
AVAILABILITY OF REPRODUCTIONS OF NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER PHOTOGRAPHS
The Naval Historical Center's Photographic Section has no official photographic reproduction system, and budgetlimitations preclude correcting this situation.
If patrons wish to visit the Section's offices to copy file photographs,or can arrange for a private photographer to do this work, unrestrictedphotos will be available for this purpose IN THE SECTION'S OFFICES ONLY.THERE WILL BE NO LOANS. There is one copy stand, available for visitors'use, but no other photographic equipment. Working areas with nearby electricaloutlets can be provided for patrons who bring their own copy equipment.
In addition, the Naval Historical Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization,has made arrangements to reproduce photographs in the Naval Historical Center'scollections at no expense to the Government. This service is offered tothe Public as a possibly more convenient alternative to the copy accessmentioned above, and rates are comparable to those charged by other institutionsfor similar services. NATIONAL ARCHIVES PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES
The National Archives' Still Picture Branch maintains most OfficialNavy Photography taken from about 1920 to 1982, including pictorial coverageof World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. It also holds olderphotographic files of the Army, Marine Corps and many Civilian GovernmentAgencies.
The National Archives can provide VERY LIMITED RESEARCH SERVICES inresponse to written and telephone inquiries. Such requests should be asspecific as possible concerning names, dates, places and other aspects ofthe pictures wanted.
SEND REQUESTS TO:
STILL PICTURE BRANCH (NNSP) NATIONAL ARCHIVES & RECORDS ADMIN. 8601 ADELPHI ROAD COLLEGE PARK, MD 20740-6001 TELEPHONE: (301) 713-6660
If extensive research is required, it is advisable to conduct it inperson. The National Archives' research facilities are open to the publicon weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located in College Park, Maryland,a northern suburb of Washington, DC.
OBTAINING REPRODUCTIONS OF NATIONAL ARCHIVES PHOTOGRAPHS:
Reproductions of most photographs in the National Archives collectionscan be obtained through several private firms that have made arrangementsto reproduce the National Archives' photos. These private firms offer varyingtypes of services and prices.
Since this system is complex and can not be summarized briefly, personsinterested in obtaining National Archives photos should contact the StillPicture Branch (NNSP) to obtain a complete information package on the servicesand fees of the various private firms involved in the National Archives'photographic reproduction system. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STILL PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES
The Department of Defense (DoD) Still Media Records Center maintainsthe official still photographic collections of the Armed Forces from 1982to the present. Earlier official photography of the Navy, Army, Marine Corpsand Army from 1955 and Air Force have been transferred to the National Archives,except for Air Force photography up to 1954, which is held by the NationalAir and Space Museum.
HOW TO OBTAIN DoD PHOTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH SERVICES:
The DoD Still Media Records Center has recently been moved fromWashington, DC, to March Air Force Base, California. Its collections areexpected to be reopened early in 1996. For details on the services theyprovide, persons should contact:
DVICOMPA 1363 Z Street March AFB, CA 92518-2717 TELEPHONE: 919-413-2522 or (DSN) 348-1522
U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES
The United States Naval Institute,a privately-funded professional organization for the sea services, has alarge collection of Naval photography. Subject matter covers all eras, butemphasizes the 20th Century. The Naval Institute has also obtained a numberof important independent photo collections, notably including those of thelate Naval author, James C. Fahey, and of the old "Our Navy" magazine.
The Naval Institute Photographic Library can provide LIMITED RESEARCH,emphasizing services to members of the U.S. Naval Institute. It also canprovide reproductions of many photographs in its collections.
For further information, CONTACT:
Photo Service U.S. Naval Institute 118 Maryland Avenue Annapolis, MD 21402-5035 FAX: 410-269-7940
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