Some views show ships, steamboats, and other vessels. The collection also includes scenes portraying interpersonal relations, such as love and remembrance. The photographic archive of the first 40 years of work produced by Hedrich-Blessing, a Chicago studio that specializes in architectural photography, comprises this collection. Images primarily show interior and exterior views of buildings and structures, including office and industrial buildings, houses, schools, stores, theaters, and restaurants. The portrait collection focuses primarily on portraits of people who resided in, or are associated with, Chicago, Illinois.
Some portraits show family groups and members of wealthy Chicago families.
It also includes Americans of historical significance, such as United States presidents and notable 19th-century politicians. Many portraits show people in military service, particularly during the American Civil War. Some portraits of entertainers and other performers who were based in Chicago or toured on a national circuit are also included. Formats include prints, photoprints, ambrotypes, cabinet cards, cartes de visite, daguerreotypes, photonegatives, and tintypes. Some photographs were taken for the Chicago Daily News or by Moffett Studios.