History is important; and many Americans agree. A whopping 96% believe it's important to look back at history to inform our future. And Millennials are paving the way with their growing interest in the past, with 45% saying they have a higher level of curiosity in history than before.
The enthusiasts in the Antique Historical Photographs group on Facebook may not all be Millennials, but they share the same love and curiosity for the past. The history buffs in that group share the incredible stories that we don't see in textbooks but are worth just as much attention.
More info: Facebook
#21 Preely Coleman, Who Had Been Born Into Slavery, At The Age Of 85 In Tyler, 1935
Preely was born in 1852 in New Berry, South Carolina, but he and his mother were sold and brought to Texas when Preely was only one month old. They settled near Alto, where Preely lived most of his life. Here's what he had to say, preserved in his own voice by the WPA:
"I'm Preely Coleman and I never gits tired of talking. Yes, ma'am, it am Juneteenth, but I'm home, 'cause I'm too old now to go on them celerabrations. Where was I born? I knows that 'zactly, 'cause my mammy tells me that a thousand times. I was born down on the old Souba place, in South Carolina, 'bout ten mile from New Berry. My mammy belonged to the Souba family, but its a fact one of the Souba boys was my pappy and so the Soubas sells my mammy to Bob and Dan Lewis and they brung us to Texas 'long with a big bunch of other slaves. Mammy tells me it was a full month 'fore they gits to Alto, their new home.
"I'm Preely Coleman and I never gits tired of talking. Yes, ma'am, it am Juneteenth, but I'm home, 'cause I'm too old now to go on them celerabrations. Where was I born? I knows that 'zactly, 'cause my mammy tells me that a thousand times. I was born down on the old Souba place, in South Carolina, 'bout ten mile from New Berry. My mammy belonged to the Souba family, but its a fact one of the Souba boys was my pappy and so the Soubas sells my mammy to Bob and Dan Lewis and they brung us to Texas 'long with a big bunch of other slaves. Mammy tells me it was a full month 'fore they gits to Alto, their new home.
Report
59points
It's hard to imagine there were rollercoasters in the 19th century. Historians trace back the roots of the rollercoaster to simple slides down icy ramps in St. Petersburg, Russia, during Catherine The Great's rule.
The French adapted them to have a groove in the middle and the passengers having to go down sideways. The Americans then took over with The Scenic Railway: a "rollercoaster" that would start at five or 10 miles an hour and accelerate up to 65 miles per hour.
Before the 1970s, almost all British cities had conductors on buses. Today, we pay the fare on an app or directly to the driver. But back then, the driver was separated from other passengers, especially in double-decker buses.
That required a second person to be on the bus to collect fares. Conductors and conductresses did that until the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s, but were phased out due to budget cuts.
#25 In The Early 1900s, A Jirrbal Rainforest Man Demonstrates Tree Climbing Techniques In Ravenshoe, Far North Queensland
Captured by photographer Eric Mjöberg, the image showcases traditional skills passed down through generations. The rope used, likely crafted from ‘Calamus australis’ (lawyer cane), highlights the resourcefulness of the Jirrbal people, who have long relied on their deep knowledge of the rainforest for survival and culture.
Report
49points
#26 Legging Was A Method Of Moving A Boat Through A Canal Tunnel
Early canal tunnels were built without a towpath as this would require a much larger bore, and hence cost more to build. Prior to the introduction of motorized boats, legging was one of the few options for getting a boat through such a tunnel.
Report
48points
#27 This Photograph Shows Two Old Soldiers. Both Were Veterans Of The Battle Of Gettysburg
The picture was taken in 1913, at a reunion held on the battlefield. The man sitting on the rocks is a Rebel soldier, and the man standing is a Union soldier.
Report
47points
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were a British comedic duo throughout the 1920s to the mid-1950s. A sequence in their comedy Liberty was a significant moment in the history of filmmaking.
It was shot on a rooftop carpark in Los Angeles where the designer built three more stories of wooden scaffolding.
It then looked like a skyscraper under construction, and Hardy was messing around jumping from one level to another. Eventually, he fell, but only sustained minor injuries.
#30 A Patient Buying Cigarettes While In Their Hospital Bed, 1950s
Report
45points
So, which of these images from Antique Historical Photographs impressed you the most, Pandas? Have you ever seen any of these before? Let us know in the comments! And if you want to visit even more rare places from the past, check out these astounding moments and interesting historical pictures!
#31 Oregon, 1939
Young mother, aged twenty-two, has one little girl three years old. Merrill, Klamath County, Oregon. In mobile unit of FSA (Farm Security Administration) camp. New baby expected in December. During this year she has worked with her husband in: strawberries (Helvetia, Oregon); cherries (Salem, Oregon); beans (West Stayton, Oregon); hops (Independence, Oregon). Is now in potato pickers' camp at the end of that season. "We haven't got a cent now and we've lost our car because we've helped some people out. It seems like it's taken every cent to eat off, that and traveling around."
Report
44points
#32 Hunter Brothers Doing Some Mid-Air Mechanical Checkups During Their 23-Day-Long Flight Without Landing In 1930. Over The 23 Days, Food And Fuel Were Delivered To Them Periodically By Another Airplane
Report
43points
#33 Pennsylvania, 1942
Lititz, Pennsylvania. Mrs. R.W. (Elizabeth) Almoney, forty-seven (center rear), has had eleven children. She works as a gauge inspector at the Animal Trap Company and on Sunday does the washing. Her husband (left) works in the local chocolate factory. Daughter Arline, twenty (right), who also works at the Animal Trap Company, is cooking Sunday dinner. There are three brothers in the service, and one Boy Scout, age thirteen, in the family...
Report
42points
#35 Step Inside The Jet Age: Dining On The Boeing 707 Stratoliner
In the late 1950s, the aviation world was soaring into a new era. Gone were the days of slow propeller planes and limited routes. Enter the Boeing 707 Stratoliner—a sleek jetliner that brought speed, style, and sophistication to commercial air travel. With this revolutionary aircraft, Boeing didn’t just change how far and fast people could travel; they redefined the journey itself, turning it into a luxurious experience.
Report
42points
#36 In 1914, A Photograph Captures A Typical Family From The Ozark Mountains In Franklin County, Arkansas, Offering A Rare And Touching Window Into The Rural Life Of This Remote Region
Dressed in simple, sturdy clothing suited to the rigors of mountain life, the family stands together in front of their modest home—a small, sturdy log cabin. This home and the family reflect the hardworking, self-sufficient lifestyle that defined Ozark communities in the early 20th century.
The Ozark Mountains, with their steep hills and rugged terrain, were known for being isolated and challenging to settle. Families here made the most of the land, relying on farming, hunting, and strong community bonds to thrive. This photo reminds us of their resilience, as these families faced both the beauty and hardships of nature each day. They wore clothing that was both practical and durable, and their cabin was built using materials gathered from the surrounding forest. Such cabins, with thick log walls and often a thatched or shingled roof, provided protection from cold winters and hot summers, standing as a symbol of the resourcefulness that defined mountain life.
The Ozark Mountains, with their steep hills and rugged terrain, were known for being isolated and challenging to settle. Families here made the most of the land, relying on farming, hunting, and strong community bonds to thrive. This photo reminds us of their resilience, as these families faced both the beauty and hardships of nature each day. They wore clothing that was both practical and durable, and their cabin was built using materials gathered from the surrounding forest. Such cabins, with thick log walls and often a thatched or shingled roof, provided protection from cold winters and hot summers, standing as a symbol of the resourcefulness that defined mountain life.
Report
41points
#37 At Home With Curly: A Glimpse Into Jerome Howard’s Private Life
By the late 1940s, Jerome “Curly” Howard of The Three Stooges had firmly cemented his place in comedy history. Known for his infectious laughter, zany antics, and unforgettable catchphrases like “Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk!” and “Soitenly!”, Curly was beloved by audiences of all ages. Yet offscreen, he was a different kind of performer—one who cherished quiet moments at home with his wife and family.
40points
#38 The First Roller Coaster In Ireland: A 1912 Thrill For The Ages
In the summer of 1912, Ireland experienced a new and thrilling form of entertainment: the country’s very first roller coaster. Installed in Belfast, this innovative ride marked the beginning of a long love affair between the Irish people and amusement parks. The arrival of the roller coaster was not just a novelty but a symbol of progress and excitement during a time when Ireland was rapidly embracing modern ideas and technologies.
Report
40points
