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Category: Civil War

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Closing the Book

Posted by: Erin Allen

The Library of Congress, with collections that are universal and comprise all media, has a long history of acknowledging the importance of books. Its “Books That Shaped America” exhibition is currently on view through Sept. 29 in the Southwest Gallery of the Thomas Jefferson Building. The exhibition is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Mr. Morrill Goes to Washington

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

On Monday (June 25) at the Library of Congress – in a conference anybody can attend, free of charge – the contributions of a congressman you’ve probably never heard of, but really should know about, will be explored. Justin Morrill of Vermont may never be as well-known as his executive-branch supporter in these endeavors, Abraham …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

3-D Viewing for Civil War Photos

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

This guest post is by Photography Curator Carol Johnson of the Library of Congress. The sesquicentennial of the Civil War coincides with renewed interest in 3-D images for movies, cameras, and television. Although 3-D technology seems new, stereo photography first became popular around the time of the Civil War. In fact, many Civil War photographs …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Mysterious Faces, Gazing Across Time

Posted by: Matt Raymond

A forlorn-looking girl in a mourning dress holds a picture of her late father.  An impossibly young soldier, probably prepubescent, stands at attention with his bayoneted musket.  An African-American in Union uniform sits stoically with his wife and two daughters.  A pair of uniformed comrades pose comically, each holding a cigar in the other’s mouth. …