Photographic Section

The Naval History & Heritage Command's Photographic Section has extensive pictorial reference files on all aspects of naval history. Its own collections are the principal source of photographs and other illustrations of U.S. Navy subjects made prior to 1920, and contain a wide selection of unique photography from later years. It also holds thousands of references to naval photographs held by other repositories.

Location: Washington Navy Yard, second floor, Building 108
Hours: Monday - Friday: 0900 - 1600 (9 am - 4 pm)
Closed: Weekends & Federal holidays
Phone: (202) 433-2765; DSN 288-2765

The Online Library of Selected Images is a readily accessible picture index to some of the Photographic Section's images. The Online Library contains thousands of interesting photographs on a variety of Naval and Maritime subjects. New images are added continuously.

Photographic Reference and Reproduction Services:

The Photographic Section provides limited research services in response to written and telephone inquiries. Such requests should be as specific as possible concerning names, dates, places, ship hull numbers and other details of the views wanted. Send research requests to:

Photograhic Section
Naval History & Heritage Command
805 Kidder Breese SE, Washington Navy Yard
Washington DC 20374-5060

If extensive research is required, it must be conducted in person. Appointments are essential to ensure access to the Washington Navy Yard and availability of reference staff. Call ahead to make necessary arrangements.

Research can also be obtained, for a fee, through the Naval Historical Foundation's Ressearch , or by hiring a commercial researcher.

While the Naval History & Heritage Command cannot provide photographic reproductions directly, there are several ways that copies of its photographs can be obtained. For more information, see Obtaining Photographic Reproductions of NHHC Images.

More Information:

06 Febuary 2009