ReelQuery searches public archives, digital libraries, and open collections to help you discover historical footage, photographs, recordings, and other archival materials. Instead of searching each collection separately, you can use ReelQuery to explore material from multiple sources in one place.
Our search brings together results from the following collections and institutions.
NASA
Explore material documenting space exploration, aviation, scientific research, missions, and the history of America’s space program. NASA collections include historical photographs, film, video, audio, and other media.
Internet Archive
A large digital library containing historical films, newsreels, documentaries, educational films, television recordings, public-domain movies, and other digitized media contributed by libraries, organizations, and individuals.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress preserves and provides access to extensive collections of American history and culture, including motion pictures, newsreels, photographs, sound recordings, maps, documents, and other historical materials.
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
The U.S. National Archives preserves records documenting the federal government and American history. Its collections include historical motion pictures, military footage, photographs, government films, audio recordings, and digitized documents.
Smithsonian Open Access
Discover digitized collection materials from the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, research centers, archives, and libraries. Available materials include historical photographs, artwork, scientific imagery, objects, and other cultural and historical resources.
Smithsonian Open Access identifies eligible materials that are available under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) public-domain dedication. Other Smithsonian materials may have different restrictions.
Europeana
Europeana provides access to digital cultural heritage from institutions across Europe, including libraries, museums, galleries, and archives. Discover historical photographs, films, artworks, documents, sound recordings, and other resources related to European history and culture.
About Search Results
ReelQuery searches available collection records and displays relevant results to help you discover archival materials. Search coverage, metadata, thumbnails, and available media vary by source and individual item.
ReelQuery does not host or distribute the original video files. Selecting a result takes you to the original source’s item page, where you can review additional information and access the media when available.
Copyright and Usage Rights
Finding an item through ReelQuery does not automatically mean that it is in the public domain or available for unrestricted reuse. Rights and licensing conditions vary among sources and individual items.
Before downloading, publishing, editing, distributing, or otherwise reusing any material, review the rights information and terms provided by the original source. You are responsible for determining whether your intended use is permitted and for obtaining any permissions that may be required.
ReelQuery is an independent search service. The inclusion of a collection or institution does not imply that it endorses, sponsors, or certifies ReelQuery.
This product uses the National Archives Catalog API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Archives and Records Administration.