The Ingersoll is a credit to the Navy and the personnel who man her. These destroyer men are can-do people who take pride in being small ship sailors. It felt good being with them because they have the right attitude and attitude is everything. In 1973, they received a donation of 40,000 Civil War photographs mostly of soldiers - officers and enlisted men. With this beginning, the Institute founded a central repository for historians, genealogists, and other researchers.
People call, write and visit from around the world hunting for pictures.
They have no funds to copy later pictures, however, they gladly accept outright donations of both originals and copies with a good negative. The only information required is the soldier's name, rank, company letter and regimental affiliation when known. To donate, the Institute needs a close-up negative made from the original photograph. There are two ways to get negatives from photos in private collections. Postage will be provided upon request for photo donations.