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20 Colorized Photos From The Mid-1860s

History Vintage Photos June 5, 2025

Last Updated on June 5, 2025 by Matt Staff

The mid-1860s were a time caught right in between the smoke from cannons and fresh dawn light, as America all at once emerged from the Civil War, then on into a shaky promise of reconstruction. This collection of 20 colorized photos can strip away the haze that’d otherwise be solely sepia. Enjoy this trip back in time.

1. Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione, better known as La Castiglione, Italian aristocrat

A woman in an elaborate white Victorian-era gown with lace details, holding a fan and adorned with flowers in her hair, stands gracefully against a plain backdrop.
kimbim

2. Taken all the way back in 1865

Three people outdoors, two smiling at the camera. One wears a striped poncho, another a knit cap, and the third holds a green bottle. They stand in a field under a bright sky.
deledted

3. Istanbul in 1865

Four people in traditional clothing sit and converse outside a wooden building. Two veiled women sit on cushions, a man in a robe and headscarf sits next to them, and another man in a suit and fez stands behind them, leaning on the wall.
omergeralirth

4. Miss L.C. Miris

A young woman with curled brown hair wears a striped light dress with a large purple bow and a black choker. She poses seated against a plain gray background, hands resting in her lap, and gazes slightly to the side.
ltimmmerman

5. A man standing by a wicker fence in Siam, Thailand, 1865

A young man stands outdoors in front of a woven bamboo fence, wearing a blue draped garment over a matching shirt and maroon pants, surrounded by green foliage and plants.
akkdiva

6. A portrait of a man with a trowel and a sledgehammer

A bearded man in a wide-brimmed hat and striped shirt holds a large trowel in one hand and a mallet in the other, standing in front of a blurred outdoor background.
anonymous

7. Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia

A man with dark hair and a mustache, wearing a brown suit, sits against a plain, light-colored background. He has a serious expression and looks slightly to his left.
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8. A group photo of Japanese officers taken in 1865

A group of Japanese men in traditional samurai attire pose in a lush garden with rocks, greenery, and a stone lantern, next to a wooden building. The scene appears historical and serene.
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9. Charles Dickens in 1866

A Victorian-era man with a beard and mustache, wearing a maroon coat, sits resting his head on one hand and leans on the back of a chair, gazing thoughtfully at the camera against a dark background.
chromagen

10. A striking shot of Lewis Powell back in 1865

A young man with light skin, blue eyes, and parted brown hair looks slightly upward. He is wearing a dark shirt and standing against a textured, dark background.
ohmerger

11. Charles Dickens in 1867

A side-by-side comparison of a historical black-and-white portrait of a bearded man with bushy sideburns (left) and a digitally colorized version of the same image (right).
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12. “Rusty” in 1863

Two nearly identical portraits of a man with dark hair, a goatee, and a mustache, wearing a dark cap and jacket over a light shirt with a pen in the pocket; one image is black-and-white, the other is colorized.
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13. Private Francis E. Brownell, 11th New York “Fire Zouaves”, Medal of Honour Recipient, 1862

A young man in a historical military uniform stands indoors, holding a rifle with a bayonet. He wears a red cap and red shirt under a gray jacket and baggy pants, with gear strapped across his chest and a sword at his side.
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14. Richmond, Virginia in 1865

A historic cityscape with ruined brick buildings lining a riverbank, a neoclassical building with columns in the background, and dark clouds overhead, suggesting aftermath of destruction.
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15. Abe Lincoln with his youngest son, Tad, in 1865

A colorized historical photo shows Abraham Lincoln seated with his son Tad Lincoln, who leans casually against a small round table. Lincoln holds a book and they both appear relaxed, set against a plain indoor backdrop.
jasongart

16. Atlanta, Georgia in 1864

A historical street scene shows old storefronts, including a building labeled "AUCTION & NEGRO SALES." The street is unpaved, and a person sits on the sidewalk near the entrance. The image is in color.
deleted

17. August 1863, Bealeton, Va., Capt. Henry Page, assistant quartermaster

A man in a dark uniform and hat stands in a grassy field holding a horse’s reins. The image is shown twice: the top in sepia, the bottom in color. The background includes trees and a cloudy sky.
Screenshot

18. A shop in Delhi in 1863

Two men in traditional attire sit in a shop with baskets of goods around them. One man sits inside the shop, while the other sits on the doorstep. The shop has wooden shutters and an open entrance.
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19. A Siamese oarsman with oar and some sugar cane

A barefoot man with short hair, wearing a brown sarong and no shirt, stands holding a wooden paddle. He is outdoors, surrounded by green plants, including tall sugarcane, with a rustic building in the background.
ickytimes

20. Prussian Soldiers, during the Austro-Prussian War, 1866

A group of thirteen men in military uniforms with caps pose for a formal photo against a stone wall, surrounded by rifles, bags, and helmets on the ground. Some are seated while others stand behind them.
Screenshot

Explore more vintage content:

These restored scenes prove how quickly a war-weary nation could trade smoke-stained grays for hopeful new hues. Roll the clock back a decade with 25 Vintage Photos of the Mid-1850s to watch the first sparks of change ignite. Then take another trip through time with 35 Vintage Photos Of The Mid-1870s.

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