Library of Congress Receives Gift

Late last year, a private collector named Tom Liljenquist from McLean, Virginia, donated a treasure trove of Civil War era tintypes to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. The donation was the largest one that the library has received in fifty years.

Approximately 700 images are included in the collection, most of which are those of Union soldiers who have yet to be identified. Also included are photographs of women, children, and African-American soldiers, which are considered to be quite rare.

Mr. Liljenquist donated his collection in order that it could be made available to the public for free. To honor his wishes, the Library of Congress plans a major exhibition featuring the photographs in April.

Many of the images can be viewed at loc.gov/rr/print/caption/captionliljenquist.html.