Historic Photos

GPO opened on March 4, 1861 and has continued to carry out its mission of Keeping America Informed on the three branches of the Federal Government.

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U.S. Government Publishing Office

an old black and white photo of people working at desks with lots of papers

GPO's main press room in 1900.

an old black and white photo of men working in a factory with stacks of money

GPO Bindery in 1939

an open book with black and white writing on the front cover, in two separate sections

On September 22, 1862, GPO undertook one of its most significant printing jobs ever—production of the preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation. After President Lincoln issued the general orders, GPO employees worked late into the evening to print 15,000 copies. This copy contains a printer’s proofing marks; those corrections were made to the final version of the Emancipation Proclamation issued in 1863.

the cover of keeping america informmed, with an image of a clock tower in the background

GPO releases an updated edition of its history book "Keeping America Informed / The U.S. Government Publishing Office / A Legacy of Service to the Nation." https://www.gpo.gov/newsroom-media/presspage/16presspage18.htm

an old black and white photo of two people sitting at a table in front of bookshelves

The first shipment of US Government documents from GPO to Federal depository libraries was July 17, 1895 and contained 11 congressional pubs.

three men in suits are talking to each other

Following the 1969 moon landing, there was great public interest in space publications. That same year, GPO’s bookstore display on the topic drew national attention. A local TV station in Washington, DC sent a reporter to interview Public Printer Harrison and Superintendent of Documents Carper Buckley. Discover GPO’s current collection of NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration publications: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/550

an old black and white photo of two men working in a lab with lots of flasks

GPO’s laboratory in the 1920s. Employees tested type metal for any impurities before it could be melted into printing type.

an old black and white photo of people in the back of a truck

A cool history pic from 80 years ago this week. GPO's famed Pershing Linotype makes an appearance in the American Legion parade in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported 500,000 spectators turned out for the 11½ hour parade! https://printinghistory.org/gpo-star-linotype/

an old black and white photo of train cars parked in front of a large building

GPO trucks outside agency headquarters in Washington, DC in the early 1900s ready to make deliveries to Congress.

two men in suits are holding up a painting that looks like a model airplane and another man is smiling at the camera

Cool moment from July 1969. Entertainer Bob Hope stopped by the GPO Traveling Bookstore at the Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. About 30,000 people visited GPO's exhibit of newly released Marine Corps Vietnam Combat lithograph prints. GPO's Public Information Specialist George McFarlane presented one of those prints to Bob Hope.

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GPO headquarters on North Capitol Street in Washington, DC. in 1904.

an old photo of two men working in a kitchen with refrigerators and stoves

A historic photo from 1910 of GPO's Medical Section

an old photo of a man and woman in a dentist's office

GPO's Medical Unit from the early part of the 20th century.

four men in suits and ties are standing next to each other with an american flag behind them

During National Library Week in 1969, Public Printer Harrison and Superintendent of Documents Carper Buckley (both on the right) join Defense Secretary Melvin Laird (center) and others at the Pentagon promoting military publications published by GPO.

an old black and white photo of horses pulling carriages in front of a brick building

GPO stables in 1903 on H Street in Washington, DC. This is how employees used to deliver government information to Congress.