Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of photographic negatives and positive prints of low-altitude, oblique aerial views of a variety of New York State sites. The New York office of Fairchild Aerial Surveys (a commercial firm) produced the images during the years 1946-1949, 1951, and 1957. The reason the photography was done is not known, but the firm's work was used to produce maps for the U.S. Geological Survey, among others. Images depict locations statewide, with the New York City metropolitan area predominating.

The aerial shots show the built environment especially well, including public and commercial buildings (breweries, churches, colleges, factories, hospitals, hotels); transportation infrastructure (bridges, airports, and parkways); and recreational and cultural venues (racetracks, beaches, ships, waterfronts, and historic sites). There are also views of significant landmarks (Empire State Building, the U.N. building), building sites, and natural features such as lakes, mountains, and marshes.

B1598-04: This single 14" x 19" black and white photograph depicts the Mohawk Carpet Mills at Amsterdam, N.Y., 1941.