Welcome to Photoarchive3D.org
Photoarchive 3D is a digitized archive of original stereographic 19th and early 20th century historical images. When viewed by a single person looking through a binocular stereoscope, these reconstruct a scene in three dimensions, complete with depth, creating a “Victorian virtual reality.” Only a fraction of the millions of views produced have survived, and we here present a sampling of the broad range of available subjects including exotic locations, people of the world, historic events, and material aspects of life 100-150 years ago.
Upcoming Events
We do live projections in glorious 3D on big screens for organizations, museums, and schools. Topics are tailored to interests of the audience, drawn from our massive digital archive of 40,000 images. Come to one of our events, or look at the list of talks we have already presented.
Lost Worlds in Historic 3D Stereophotographs.
George L. Mutter
Tuesday, January 27, 2026. 7pm
75 Great Rd, Bedford, MA 01730
Immerse yourself in the Victorian and Edwardian eras! Exotic, forgotten, and everyday aspects of changing life were faithfully captured by professional photographers throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Using their original 3D photographs, we will directly see emergence of the industrialized world, iconic places and events, and travel to foreign lands. Regional social, environmental, and lifestyle differences are presented through the eyes of contemporaries. Images are selections from 38,000 recently digitized original 19th and 20th century stereophotographs in the vaults at Photoarchive3D. Projected in three dimensions as originally intended. Sponsored by the Bedford Center for the Arts Photography Group.
