The Churches of Ohio Archive - Complete Postcard Collection

Postcards are highly important to historians as visual sources that offer unique and rich insights into the past, often capturing details overlooked by more formal records. These small artifacts document local and social history by providing images of the built environment (buildings, streets, parks, and landmarks that may now be altered or destroyed), cultural phenomena (fads, humor, and advertisements), and everyday life (fashion, transportation, and daily activities) in a given era. The image on the front is a record of what contemporaries considered significant or worthy of promoting, such as civic achievements or popular tourist sites. The messages on the back, often written quickly and informally, offer authentic, firsthand accounts that can convey personal experiences, local events, and contemporary attitudes, much like a modern-day social media post. By collecting and comparing numerous samples, historians can piece together a detailed, time-lapse view of a place or a specific historical event, making the humble postcard an invaluable tool for understanding popular culture and historical change.