African American Buffalo Soldiers stereoscopic photographs

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

African American Buffalo Soldiers stereoscopic photographs, C0539, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 folder
Creator:
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center, Keystone View Company, H.C. White Co, Strohmeyer & Wyman, Underwood & Underwood, and Webster & Albee Publishers (Rochester, New York)
Abstract:
Thirteen stereoscopic photographs of African American Buffalo Soldiers.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

African American Buffalo Soldiers stereoscopic photographs, C0539, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:

Thirteen stereoscopic photographs of African American Buffalo Soldiers circa 1890s-1910s, including during and after World War I (WWI). Seven published by the Keystone View Company depict members of the 15th Regiment, 369th Infantry; "Roosevelt Guard" and "Litter Bearers, Medical Detachment," 8th Regiment; 2nd Battalion, E., G., A and F, 24th Infantry; and unidentified troops in Europe during WWI. One photograph is attributed to Underwood & Underwood photographers and two additional photographs include detailed text printed on the back providing context and historical information about the Buffalo Soldiers and "colored troops." Two were published by H.C. White company, indicating a copyright of 1905, and depict members of Troop D, 9th Cavalry on the trunk of the Fallen Monarch, Mariposa Grove, California. Two were published by Strohmeyer & Wyman, indicating dates of 1898-1899, and depict an Industrial Parade at Booker Washington School, Tuskegee, Alabama and members of the 8th U.S. Infantry. The final two photographs were published by Webster & Albee Publishers (Rochester, New York) and Underwood & Underwood (European Publishers) depicting members of the 9th Ohio at Camp Alger, Virginia and "The original Buffaloes, 367 Infantry" during Rifle practice at Camp Upton, New York respectively.

Biographical / historical:

In 1866, following an act of Congress, six all African American Army units were created: the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry divisions. The four infantry divisions were reorganized three years later, in 1869, to form the 24th and 25th infantry regiments. While African Americans had fought in military conflicts since the colonial era, these units, popularly known as the "Buffalo Soldiers" and which included both those formerly enslaved and freemen, were the first to serve during peacetime. Notably, the Buffalo Soldiers served among the country's first National Park Rangers and played a key role in Westward expansion, including escorting settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews. The 9th and 10th cavalry regiments also participated in campaigns against Native American tribes across the Southwest and Great Plains, which is purportedly where the units gained the name "Buffalo Soldiers," although its exact origins are unclear. Additionally, the Buffalo Soldiers served a formal role in nearly all major American wars following the Civil War, including the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War (1898), and World War I (1917-1918) along with the 369th Infantry Regiment, another all-Black unit known as the "Harlem Hellfighters."

First conceptualized by physicist and experimental philosopher Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875) in 1832, the practice of stereoscopy developed into an early form of three-dimensional photography by the mid-late 19th century. Stereographs consist of two photographs taken of the same scene from slightly different angles, that are mounted alongside each other on a single, standard-sized, stiff card. When viewed through a stereoscopic lens, the illusion of a three-dimensional image is achieved by mimicking the human eye's perception of depth, with each eye seeing a slightly different view of the field of vision, which is imitated through the stereograph's two mounted photographs. While popular throughout the early 20th century as entertainment, stereographs were also used in reporting and documenting current events, including parades, disasters, wars, and politics.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by Lynn Eaton from Max Rambod Rare Books in March 2025.
Processing information:

Processing and finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in December 2025.

Arrangement:

This is a single folder collection.

Physical location:
R 71, C 2, S 5
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard