Reproductions of 19 photographs that document some of the families and history of the African-American community in Bloomington, Indiana, from about 1870 to 1920, are contained in this paper. The paper discusses the use of photographs in historical inquiry, and posits that the photographic image carries the power of witness to past peoples and events. Although these photographs are specific to a particular community and historical period, the manner in which they are presented here could serve as a useful model for the documentation of the history of other communities. A list of 12 references is included. (DB)