History

Photos

The Census Bureau's collection of historic photographs includes images of enumerators, advertising, household scenes, buildings, and technology. In the "Sights & Sounds" photo galleries, you will find that the Census Bureau frequently documented its operations for counting the population, its work at headquarters, and the invention of tabulating technology. Included are images of pottery celebrating the first census in 1790, questionnaires, artwork, maps, enumerators at work. Check back often for new additions!

Two photographers taking each others' picture
with hand-held cameras while perched on roof.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress