THE APPS
A NEW WAY TO EXPLORE YOUR CITY
The Web App
Our web app merges location data with the digital collections of museums and libraries, making it easier than ever to explore the history of urban environments.
Launch the web app
The IOS App
Our FREE iOS app features archival photos, museum content, and programming from your favorite cultural institutions. Explore, share, and document your city’s changing landscape.
Download the iOS app
FEATURES
User Feedback
Receive feedback and comments from Urban Archive users.
User Accounts
Create an unlimited number of accounts. Each user can create and edit content.
Partner Pages / Handles
Easily find and share content from your profile page (ex: @nyhistory).
Stories
Share city history through story maps and walking tours.
FEATURES (FOR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS)
Locate your Collections
Locate your assets using our platform geocoding capabilities.
Collection and Data Management
Manage your collections and data. Curate and publish collections online.
Integrations and Preferences
Control integrations, moderate content, and adjust platform settings.
Reports and Analytics
Measure collection engagement, and access real-time analytics.
FEATURES (FOR USERS)
Explore Nearby History
Discover thousands of historic sites and photographs.
Notifications
Push notifications remind you to look up when you’re near a historic site.
Recreate Photos
Tap the camera icon to create then and now photos. See examples here.
Audio Guide
Listen to audio tours that enhance
your museum experience.
Sharing
Share images and source links directly from Urban Archive.
History Crush
Swipe right on your favorite historical photos.
Search
Surface historic sites and facts with keyword search and filtering.
2D + 3D
Pan around in 2D and 3D to view the evolution of the city’s built environment.
Who’s USing URBAN ARCHIVE?
CuratorS / Museum Staff
Urban ExplorerS
History BuffS / Data JunkieS
Collection ManagerS
EducatorS / PRESERVATIONISTS
Our platform is built for anyone who’s looking to share or explore local history.
Partner organizations can take advantage of our dashboard, which is designed for collection management, and storytelling. Archivists, librarians, curators, and museum staff can organize, tag, filter, and publish their collections to our Web App, iOS App, and LinkNYC Integration.
HOW IT WORKS
Our platform dashboard consolidates all your images, metadata, and collection management tools into one unified interface. As the hub of all activity in Urban Archive, you can use it to manage multiple services and deploy feature integrations for your collections faster and easier than ever before.
GETTING STARTED
Step 1
Become a partner organization on the platform. Contact us to learn more.
Step 2
Upload digital assets and
corresponding metadata.
Step 3
Select your integrations and set your organization’s preferences.
Step 4
Track and review activity. Edit content based on user trends.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s the difference between the Web App and the iOS app?
Our native mobile app is built for the Apple iPhone and includes a few additional immersive user features, including Audio Guides, History Crush, and Notifications.
Does the iOS app work offline?
The app stores some information offline, but for the best experience, it requires an internet connection.
What’s an Urban Archive profile?
Your Urban Archive profile is the hub for all content curated by your organization in our platform. We’ll create one for you in the onboarding process.
How do I upload my collections to Urban Archive?
Uploading collections to Urban Archive is easy. We just need the image files and associated metadata for your collections. You can send us these assets using a free cloud service like WeTransfer, DropBox, or Google Drive. If your collections are too large, we’re happy to lend you a hard drive.
Are there limits to collection size and quantity?
There are no limits to collection size and quantity. In fact, we encourage partners to begin the upload process with a sizable amount of images or collections so that our team has enough content to work with.
What are the metadata requirements for collections?
Since there are no standards around metadata, it is common for the metadata fields to vary from collection to collection, even within an institution. This is no problem. As part of our work, we interface your collections in our dashboard in a way that standardizes the information without tampering with the original files. If your organization does not have collection metadata, see this page for next steps.
Can we opt out of certain integrations?
Yes. You can easily select your integration preferences in our platform hub, giving you maximum control over what is published and where it is published.
Can users download high-res images from the iOS app?
No. We containerize all images in our app to keep users from downloading images and collecting metadata directly.
Does Urban Archive monetize or share user data?
No. You can learn more about our data policy here.
Who curates the content in Urban Archive?
Our content team works with the collections of our partners to bring forward narratives and stories that are waiting to be told. Content on Urban Archive can be produced by our team either independently or collaboratively to tell a story, lead a walk, frame an event, or showcase an individual. Partners are also fully able to produce their own content on our platform.
Can users download high-res images from the web app?
No. We containerize all images in our web app to keep users from downloading images and collecting metadata directly. We also only display low-res images in-app as an extra safety measure.
What’s the difference between the Web App and the iOS app?
Our iOS and Web App mirror each other. While our native mobile app is built for the Apple iPhone, our Web App can be accessed via any internet browser and will adapt to whichever device users are viewing them on.
How does your team work with our collections?
We use a variety of research tools to discover the stories behind historic sites and the people and events that surround them. Starting from metadata provided by our partners, our team accesses troves of online archives including newspapers and fire insurance maps to piece together compelling accounts of history.
Can we make changes to our organization’s profile page and handle?
Yes. You can make changes to your organization’s profile page and handle it directly in the Urban Archive dashboard.
What’s the chronological scope of collections in Urban Archive?
The most recent photo in our collection dates to about 2013. We tend to cap the chronological scope of our collections around there.
What is Urban Archive’s process for geolocating collections?
We take collections in "as-is" and add location data to your records. For this reason, rather than filtering your collections before sending them to Urban Archive, you can just send us your collections at large. Using historical records and various resources, our team will map any photo that can be located.
What is the photographic focus of Urban Archive’s collections?
Our collections tend to be focused on the built environment, but we welcome various collection styles: architectural, documentary, portrait, etc. As long as an image can be located on a map, we'll include it in Urban Archive.
Who has access to the dashboard and are there limits to user accounts at my organization?
All partners have access to our dashboard, but they only have control over their content. There are no limits to user accounts.
Does the dashboard replace our existing CMS?
Our dashboard works in tandem with your existing collection management system but has the ability to replace it entirely. If you’re interested in a white-label collection portal, please contact us.
How does Urban Archive’s dashboard compare to traditional collection management software, like PassPerfect and Access?
Our dashboard is built to modernize your collections management system. It gives you new controls and integrations that raise the visibility of your collections. You can use it to visualize the geographic reach of your collections, as well as export enhanced collection metadata for other valuable integrations.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"We have an extensive collection of New York City photography, and we're always looking for new ways to share it with new audiences. Urban Archive has been a terrific platform for us because we've been able to share the unique, compelling stories behind our vintage pictures and engage users who are just discovering our collection."
—Michael Ryan, VP and Library Director, New-York Historical Society
“We don’t have the bandwidth to map our entire collection like Urban Archive can. They bring our collection to life, and together we can reach a wide audience and create a curated historical experience.”
—Sheryl V. Levy, Vice President of Marketing at the Museum of the City of New York
“This app will open your eyes to a whole new NYC. I love seeing historical photographs and learning about the buildings that I walk by every day.” @katelynns322