Online Kalamazoo Photograph Index

Did you know that you can view about 3000 photographs related to Kalamazoo on the Kalamazoo Public Library website? This index is a collaboration between the KPL, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and the WMU Archives and Regional History Collections. Each institution provided photos: KPL (about 1200), KVM (about 1000) and WMU (800).

Some of the photos are more recent, from the 1980s and 1990s, but you can also find old photographs as well (into the late 1860s). Unsure where to begin? Try searching for a street name, building (e.g. library), or event (e.g. parade). More recent photos appear first in the search results. The results page includes a brief description of each photograph. Select “Take me to it” to view the photograph and click to enlarge. Be sure to make a mental note of where you are in the search results (the number) because when you close the photo window the results revert to the top of the page.

All of these photographs are searchable here.

You can also conduct a photo search anytime you are in the “local indexes and community information” database by scrolling to the bottom of the results page and selecting “photograph” in the “Type” drop-down box.

On an unrelated note, the KPL is hosting another Genealogy Lock-In on Friday October 26, 2012. This event lasts from 6 pm to 10 pm. The description of this event from the KPL website is as follows. “Explore databases and Kalamazoo County vital records, learn how to use the microfilm reader/scanner/printer, save microfilm images to CD or flash drive—or just take advantage of free copying and printing during the event. If you like, bring your own laptop and use the library's WiFi network. Free parking in the library lot.” Registration is required and begins on Oct. 3.