Donor Wade Hall is that rare kind of collector who sees the value in seemingly normal, everyday documents and photos, things that aren’t connected to a big historical figure or moment but nevertheless make up the fabric of history. The many small photograph collections assembled from Hall’s donations give us a fantastic window into the everyday life of people from the late 19th to mid 20th centuries.

Most of these photographs are of families and friends, of milestones at home and trips away from home. Since it’s fall break, here are some vacation photos that will hopefully remind you of the sunny summer and travel time we’ve just said farewell to.

Maybe you wish you were at the boardwalk…

…or even Niagara Falls!

These folks enjoy fishing from their big boat…

…but these guys seem to have caught more fish from their canoes:

Obviously, bathing costumes have changed a lot over the years:

But aren’t you glad to know you’re not the first to cut someone’s head off when framing a picture?

Wherever you are this Mid-Semester Study Break, we hope you’re with friends.