Taschen Collection Showcases a Century of American Life Through National Geographic Archives

A comprehensive new publication by Taschen draws upon the extensive archives of National Geographic to present a visual chronicle of American history spanning a century. The book, titled National Geographic: The United States of America, contains 700 photographs that capture the dramatic transformations across the nation, ranging from industrial growth to leisure activities, covering locations from Alabama to Wyoming and Alaska to Wisconsin.

Until the 1920s, the magazine’s coverage primarily highlighted American industry, agriculture, and public works projects. However, editorial focus soon shifted toward depicting Americans enjoying their free time, with increasingly vibrant color photography offering readers an escape from daily hardships. Images such as children shoveling a hockey rink in New Hampshire in 1982, captured by Andy Felsenthal, illustrate this transition toward scenes of recreation and community life.

Thomas Kennedy, who served as the magazine’s director of photography during the 1990s, noted the aspirational nature of the publication’s approach. He explained that for much of the 20th century, editors portrayed an idealized version of America, reflecting white middle-class sensibilities that reinforced familiar narratives for many readers. This perspective is evident in photos like B. Anthony Stewart’s 1968 image of schoolchildren in Maine bathed in autumn light.

The collection also documents distinct regional cultures and landmarks. Photographs include Paul L. Pryor’s 1939 shot of a tattoo parlor in Norfolk, Virginia, reflecting an era when sailors were the primary clientele; Susan Seubert’s 2014 view of the ornate Historic Alabama Theater in Birmingham; and Robert W. Madden’s 1972 depiction of burlesque legend Blaze Starr in Baltimore, which highlights the city’s quirky cultural scene.

Natural and historical sites are also prominently featured. William Belknap Jr.’s 1957 photo shows picnickers at New Mexico’s Great White Sands, where gypsum dunes stretch across 140,000 acres. In Kentucky, David S. Boyer captured a 1964 scene at Mammoth Cave, the world’s longest known cave system, where a National Parks Service guide addresses visitors near Booth’s Amphitheater. Additionally, Tyrone Turner’s 2007 image shows trumpeter Kenneth Terry and the New Birth Brass Band performing at Preservation Hall in New Orleans two years after Hurricane Katrina, with Terry noting that their jazz comes from the soul.

Other notable images include the Mayflower II entering New York Harbor in 2009, tourists viewing the Chicago River from the Tribune Building in the 1950s, and the historic elevated train system circling downtown Chicago in 1967. The book serves as both a historical record and a reflection on how national identity has been visually constructed over time.