The Library of Congress has recently digitalized a collection of over 10,000 photographs, taken by the "American Colony" in Jerusalem, a group of Christian utopians who lived in Jerusalem between 1881 and the 1940s. The photographers returned to the US, and bequeathed their massive collection to the Library of Congress in 1978. The collection includes Winston Churchill's visit to Jerusalem, Jewish expulsions from the Old City during Arab riots, and the building of Tel Aviv.
During the times of the Jewish Temple, Jews made three annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem, on Passover, Sukkot and Shavuot.
Christians and Muslims also have a longstanding tradition of pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as evidenced in these photographs from the Library of Congress collection.
More photos can be viewed at http://www.israeldailypicture.com
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep
This photo, taken 1899, shows a group of Russian pilgrims on the way to Jericho.
(American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep.)
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep
Pictured here, Abyssinian (Ethiopian) Christian pilgrims gather in Jerusalem.
(American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep.)
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep
Coptic Christians from Egypt were also wont to take pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Here, circa 1900, Egyptian Coptic Christians bathe in Jordan River.
(American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep.)
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep
Pictured here, French pilgrims pray at the first Station of the Cross
located in Turkish barracks in Jerusalem (1913).
(American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep.)
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep
This picture is titled, "Jacobite pilgrims from Chaldea" (circa 1900).
Chaldea was an area in Babylon, now southern
Iraq. The Jacobites were part of the Syriac
Orthodox Church and many spoke Aramaic. Take note of the howling baby in the backpack.
(American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept.)
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep
Circa 1900, this photograph is one of many within the collection capturing Muslim pilgrimages to Jerusalem.
(American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dep.)