Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Distant view of long bridge over a river with ships in background.

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05111.01.0395 Author/Creator: Place Written: [s.l.] Type: Photograph Date: 1861-1865 ca. Pagination: 1 photograph 9.7 x 10.9 cm Order a Copy

The left sections of the bridge are constructed using pontoons. The image has in the shape of a circle with black borders. Numeric notation "XII 954."

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