OpenMediaMap is a free, open, and community-driven archive that maps the visual history of the world—one photograph at a time.
Our mission is to digitize and geo-locate every available old photograph, simultaneously providing a standardized database for such photographs.
In collecting photographs hidden in private collections, undigitized and susceptible to loss, or inaccessible behind institutional barriers, we hope to create an interactive record of how the world once looked.
With the core priority being the 19th-century, the cutoff date of 1930 leaves the door open for slightly later photos.
Our flagship campaign, The Pre-1900 Project, focuses solely on photographs taken before the 20th century. Despite being the most vivid primary source available, 19th-century photographs are scattered, hidden, or forgotten.
This project aims to:
Count and catalog as many 1800s photographs as possible.
Build the first open, global visual index of 19th-century photography.
Paint a complete picture of the 1800s on an interactive, digital map.
You don't need to be a historian to help—just a photograph, a rough location, and the will to preserve the past.
Powered by volunteers, OpenMediaMap is built on three core promises:
Remain Free: No paywalls. Ever. Access to OpenMediaMap is seen as a right, not a privilege.
Remain Open: Contributions are preserved with the care and effort to benefit curious minds for generations to come, including frequent back-ups and strong backend infrastructure.
Remain Reliable: Every photo is reviewed and logged with accurate metadata, including coordinates, date, direction, and source.
Whether you're an archivist, student, or someone with a box of old photos in the attic—you can contribute.