The Importance of Postcards to Local History

More than a simple "Hello," send through the mail, postcards — without a single written word — can help us define our social history. The images captured in postcards show us what was seen as important to an area in a specific moment in time: locations, events, businesses. Over time, they show the urbanization of towns, changes in architectural styles, in fashion styles, in modes of transportation, and countless other subtle changes. In this way, postcards act as an invaluable source of local history.

Over the years, the library has amassed a large collection of Wheeling-related postcards. These documents give a glimpse into our past and help tell the visual tale of our city's rich heritage.