FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) — The Allen County Public Library (ACPL), in partnership with the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana, has unveiled its newest digital resource, ‘Vintage Aerial, Library Edition.’ A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch was held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Discovery Center of The Genealogy Center located at ACPL’s Main Library.
What is ‘Vintage Aerial, Library Edition’?
‘Vintage Aerial, Library Edition’ is a comprehensive digital archive offering access to thousands of aerial photographs of Allen County and other U.S. locations. Spanning from the 1960s to the early 2000s, the collection provides a unique resource for genealogists, historians, and community members interested in exploring historical images of family properties, farms, and local landmarks.
Ceremony Highlights
The ribbon-cutting event began at 1:30 p.m. and included:
- A showcase of the platform’s features.
- Live demonstrations of the tools available in the database.
- A Q&A session with ACPL staff and representatives from Vintage Aerial.
Curt Witcher, Director of Special Collections at ACPL, expressed excitement about the collaboration. “We are thrilled to bring this incredible historical resource to the genealogists we serve,” Witcher said. “This partnership enables patrons to delve deeper into the historical context of their families’ lives and uncover more of their stories.”
Why it Matters
ACPL is the first library in the U.S. to offer this extensive database. By making these images publicly accessible, ACPL provides a tool to preserve and explore local and familial history, further cementing its reputation as a hub for genealogical research.
Explore the Resource
To access ‘Vintage Aerial, Library Edition,’ or learn more about ACPL’s other offerings, visit the library’s official website.
