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Photos of the United States in the 1930s and 1940s in Color

People love to look back on the past by viewing old black-and-white photographs of their country, state, city, or town. For those living in the United States, there is a huge amount of historical images freely available to view, and in this article, you will have the opportunity to see some of these photos from the 1930s and 1940s brought to life with color through the process of colorization.

Sébastien de Oliveira is an artist that has expertly colorized these photos of the United States in the 1930s and 1940s. In-depth research paired with years of experience in colorizing photographs allows Sébastien to produce pieces of work with incredible realism and accuracy, providing you with a unique look into history full of color! Once you have enjoyed the photos in this article of 1930s and 1940s United States, be sure to follow Sébastien on Instagram and see more of his colorizations, which feature a more comprehensive array of countries and historical eras.

United States in the 1930s in Color

Original black and white photo of a street view of F. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., United States. Cars, pedestrians and trams fill the street.
Colorized photo of a street view of F. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., United States. Cars, pedestrians and trams fill the street.
A street in Washington, D.C., busy with people and vehicles.
Harris & Ewing, 1935
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress
Original photograph of the Fulton Street Fish Market, New York City, United States in 1936 showing workers preparing for the day with the New York skyscrapers in the background
Colorized photograph of the Fulton Street Fish Market, New York City, United States in 1936 showing workers preparing for the day with the New York skyscrapers in the background
The Fulton Fish Market in New York City.
Berenice Abbott, 1936
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from New York Public Library
Black and white Photograph of Pedestrians walking through Union Square in Manhattan, New York City, United States with colorful advertisements for various products plastered across the buildings
Colorized Photograph of Pedestrians walking through Union Square in Manhattan, New York City, United States with colorful advertisements for various products plastered across the buildings
Union Square, Manhattan, New York City.
Berenice Abbott, 1936
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from New York Public Library
Colorized photograph of Two men standing outside of a grocery store in Shawneetown, Illinois. In the window you can see the price of Dried Peaches, Prunes, and a Kroger sign. In front of the store there are sacks of various products
Colorized photograph of Two men standing outside of a grocery store in Shawneetown, Illinois. In the window you can see the price of Dried Peaches, Prunes, and a Kroger sign. In front of the store there are sacks of various products
Men standing outside a grocery store in Shawneetown, Illinois.
Russell Lee, 1937
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress
Tempo of the City: II, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Looking west from Seymour Building, 503 Fifth Avenue
Colorized version of Tempo of the City: II, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Looking west from Seymour Building, 503 Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Looking west from Seymour Building, New York City.
Berenice Abbott, 1937
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from New York Public Library

United States in the 1940s in Color

Original black and white photograph of A man walking down a street in Connecticut, United States after a snowstorm. Advertisments are displayed in the background.
A man walking down a street in Connecticut, United States after a snowstorm. Advertisments are displayed in the background. This image has been colorized
A street in Norwich, Connecticut, after a snowstorm.
Jack Delano, 1940
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress
Original black and white photograph of the San Angelo Fat Stock Show Parade taking place in San Angelo, Texas, United States
Colorized photograph of the San Angelo Fat Stock Show Parade taking place in San Angelo, Texas, United States
The San Angelo Fat Stock Show Parade in San Angelo, Texas.
Russell Lee, 1940
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress
Photo of a line of people waiting to enter the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Colorized photo of a line of people waiting to enter the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
A crowd outside the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois.
Russell Lee, 1941
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress
Original black and white version of a crowd of people leaving Pilgrim Baptist Church located Southside of Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Colorization of a crowd of people leaving Pilgrim Baptist Church located Southside of Chicago, Illinois, United States.
People leaving Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, on Easter Sunday.
Russell Lee, 1941
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress
Sergeant George Camblair taking his girlfriend to the movies while he is at home on a weekend furlough
Colorized photo of Sergeant George Camblair taking his girlfriend to the movies while he is at home on a weekend furlough
Sgt. George Camblair taking his Girlfriend to the movies in Washington, D.C.
Jack Delano, 1942
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress
A man photographed selling fruits from a pushcart with large buildings of New York in the background
Colorization of A man photographed selling fruits from a pushcart with large buildings of New York in the background
Pushcart Fruit Vendor at the Fulton Fish Market, New York City.
Gordon Parks, 1943
Colorized by Sébastien de Oliveira // Original from Library of Congress

Be sure to check out more of Sébastien de Oliveira’s fantastic colorization work on his Instagram. If you are in France, you can purchase his book Back to America : Les Etats-Unis en couleurs (1935-1943)!

RELATED ARTICLE: Colorized Photo of American Revolutionary War Veteran William Hutchings, 1864

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