Historic Images Collection

The Cushing Memorial Library and Archives maintains an extensive photographic collection of over 300,000 images. The collection continues to grow. These images are in a wide variety of formats and sizes, including negatives on glass plates, post cards, and various early types of prints. The collection is organized by subject and contains a visual representation of nearly every aspect of Texas A&M University’s long and storied past beginning with the opening of the school in 1876. Categories include such subjects as campus views, individual buildings, athletics, research, teaching, student life, members of the faculty, visiting dignitaries and important events. Most of the photographs were acquired through donation or from various units of the university.

Images of a Rural Past

In the early 1970s, the Texas A&M University archives acquired a large collection of photographs from the Agricultural Communications Office of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. This collection consists of nearly 7000 photographs. The vast majority are black and white images ranging from the 1930s through the late 1970s, although some photographs date from earlier and later periods. These images were captured by photographers working throughout the state, and document many activities aimed at improving the lives and livelihood of rural Texans. Farming, home improvement, livestock raising, and other programs of the Extension Service were illustrated and the photographs were retained for educational and publicity initiatives. Through a grant from the TexShare Access to Local Holdings program, the images have been digitized and the accompanying descriptive text entered into a searchable database.