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Photographic Collections

The Westchester County Archives houses over 60,000 prints, negatives, lantern slides and other images dating from 1909 to the present. These materials are arranged in ten separate photographic collections:

Cars on Completed Bronx River Parkway (PBP 2508; A20, PG1)Bronx Parkway Commission Photograph Albums, 1912-1924
Images from twenty-two photograph albums that primarily document conditions that existed along the Bronx River before construction of the Bronx River Parkway.
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Buildings Along the Bronx River, 19 March 1912 (PBP-23)Bronx Parkway Commission Collection, 1912-1924
Official photographic record of the construction of the Bronx River Parkway, America's first public parkway.
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County Executive Andrew P. O'Rourke and New York Governor Mario Cuomo at the Opening of WestHELP, 1989 (PCP-239) Photograph by Affiliated Photographic Services, Inc.County Photographer Collection, ca.1982-1996
These photographs were largely produced by Westchester County Photographer Anthony Vitulli, although some were produced by private contractors.
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Croton Lake Bridge, 1935 (PJG-269)John G. Gass Collection, ca.1933-1965
John Gass was best known for his photography of landscapes and architecture and for his work with Gilmore D. Clarke, official landscaper of the 1939 New York World's Fair and landscape architect of the Bronx River Parkway. The images in this collection are mostly scenic landscapes, bridges, and Westchester County parks and buildings. Learn More

Ward clerk consulting charge nurse at Grasslands Hospital, ca. 1950 (P-552). General Photograph Collection, 1912-present
Included are images of various events, people, parks, buildings, and parkways throughout Westchester County. The collection includes an important group of photographs of buildings and activities at the Grasslands Hospital/Westchester County Medical Center and construction photographs of several of the county's major parkways. Learn More

County Executive Edwin G. Michaelian with President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Nixon-Lodge Rally, 1960 (PMC-260)Edwin G. Michaelian Photograph Collection, 1909-1984
Photographs of Edwin G. Michaelian, County Executive from 1958 to 1973, from childhood to the dedication of the Michaelian Office Building in 1984. Includes many images of municipal and county officials and dignitaries, as well as photographs of Mr. Michaelian's activities as Mayor and Councilman of White Plains. Learn More

Teeing off at Maple Moor Golf Course, 7 July 1929 (PPC-5960)Park Commission Collection, 1912-1961
Images of the construction and development of the county's parks, parkways, and many county buildings. Includes construction photos, views of Playland, the County Center, and Kensico Dam.
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Music Tower and Midway at Playland, ca. 1932 (PLS-1605) Parks Department Lantern Slide Collection, ca.1920-1935
Views of parks, parkways, the County Center, Playland, Kensico Dam and other areas of Westchester County.
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Dragon Coaster at Playland, ca. 1930 (PPL-4195) Playland Collection, 1927-1941
Detailed photographs of Playland Amusement Park from its construction through 1941. Includes images of amusement rides, games, concessions, buildings, activities and performances. Also includes scenes from Playland beach and boardwalk.  The park is an excellent example of Art Deco architecture and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn More

View looking NNW towards Buttermilk, Hawthorne & Chappaqua from roof of County Office Building, White Plains, NY, April 22, 1935 (PCS 016)Westchester County Control Survey Collection, 1934-1936
Photographs documenting the work of a major survey to map the boundaries of Westchester County in the 1930s.
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Records by Department

Record groups are used by the Westchester County Archives to identify record series that come from the same department within the county government. Select one of the record groups listed below to view a list of the records for that department currently available at the Archives. Departments in the menu (at right) are listed alphabetically.

Record Group 1                  Board of Elections

Record Group 2                  County Executive

Record Group 3                  Board of Legislators

Record Group 4                  Judiciary

Record Group 5                  District Attorney

Record Group 6                  County Clerk

Record Group 7                  Personnel / Human Resources

Record Group 10                Budget Office

Record Group 11                Finance Department

Record Group 12                Law Department

Record Group 13                Planning Department

Record Group 15                Public Safety

Record Group 18                Health Department

Record Group 19                Community Mental Health

Record Group 21                Social Services

Record Group 22                Correction Department

Record Group 25                Parks, Recreation and Conservation

Record Group 26                Public Works

Record Group 29                Consumer Protection

Record Group 30                Miscellaneous Agencies / Individuals

Record Group 31                Acquisition & Contract

Record Group 32                Information Technology

Record Group 33                Senior Programs and Services

Record Group 34                Emergency Services