The three previous school Days posts this month pertained mostly to the 20th century.

However, schools have been around forever and there are a variety of types of photographs and/or sketches of schools around the world.

Here are a few types of – let’s call them – illustrations and historical information to be found, not listed in any particular order. Rather than constantly repeating possible sources, check local libraries, Historical societies and the school in question if it still exists.

1. Vintage Postcards – Postcards were first created i the late 1800s and were extremely popular through the latter part of the 20th century. By the early 21st century, new postcards became few and far between. Public buildings, particularly schools, were very popular photographic subjects.
2. School Dedications – When a new school opens, there is often a special dedication ceremony and a printed program.
3. Anniversary Books – As with Dedication Programs, schools that attain the 25, 50, 75, or 100+ year markers may have special ceremonies celebrating the anniversary.
4. Event Programs – Plays, special assemblies, VIP visits, etc. might also have had unique program booklets printed.
5. County Histories – Be sure to check county histories. I searched for quite a while looking for a photo of Wilson School #12 in Passaic, New jersey, which was demolished years ago. No images were found for sale online or even in searches. A photo was finally found in a Passaic history book published in the 1920s.
6. Newspaper Articles – Of course, school photos will often appear in news articles.
7. School Closings/Demolitions – School closings are a sad affair. Passaic High School, opened in the 1950s, closed in 2025, to be demolished and a new high school built. Not only was there a program, but a past city historian created a booklet of PHS historical photos and memories.
8. Personal Photos – Family members might have taken school photos for special events. If your family didn’t, check #9 below.
9. Social Media Historical Groups – There are schools, towns and cities that have historical groups on social media, particularly FB, where some are extremely active. Check to see if your town or school has a group. Crowdsourcing brings out all kinds of fun discoveries.
10. School Yearbooks – This has already been mentioned in an earlier post, but yearbooks obviously include many kinds of historical school photographs.

School life was such an important part of a family’s life. By learning about schools, you’ll have a better understanding of the social and cultural sides of your ancestor’s life.