The University of Chicago's Archival Photographic Files

The Archival Photographic Files digitization project, begun in 2002, hopes eventually to digitize and present all of the more than sixty thousand images in the collection online. Among those already available are some very interesting images of the Oriental Institure. This sequence of photographs of the construction of the Oriental Institute is extraordinary. Click on each photograph for a larger version.


The lot, at 58th Street and University Avenue, on which the Institute was to be constructed
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05409], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.



Groundbreaking. Robert Maynard Hutchins, President of the University, observing James Henry Breasted wielding the shovel.
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05471], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library



Excavation of the foundations.
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05410], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.



Foundations.
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05412], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.



Construction of the basement.
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05411], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.



Construction of the first floor - museum galleries
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05413], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.



Construction of the first floor - museum galleries.
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05414], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.



Construction of the first floor - offices and library.
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05415], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.



Roofing.
Archival Photofiles, [apf2-05416], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.