The final year of the 19th century stood at a fascinating crossroads. In 1899, horse-drawn transportation still dominated many streets, while electric lighting, telephones, automobiles, and motion pictures hinted at the changes ahead. Across cities and rural communities, people worked, traveled, socialized, and raised families in ways that reflected an era on the verge of major transformation. Explore this changing era through a compilation of vintage and colorized pictures.
#1: A Civil War Veteran’s Legacy
Thousands of African American soldiers served honorably in the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. Years after the war, old soldiers in Pennsylvania still had local Grand Army of the Republic posts. Former soldiers wore their official uniforms and medals for family studio portraits, preserving their military legacy for younger generations while building new lives as respected community members.
