Photographs contains portraits, photo albums, cartes-de-visite, tintypes, cabinet cards, and glass plate negatives from the Cranston family. Images show Alfred Cranston, Sarah Ann Oliver and her mother Mrs. Oliver, Ella Cranston, her daughter Elsie, and Alfred Petford Cranston. Photographs related to Alfred Cranston's Civil War duty include images of General and Mrs. E.B. Fowler, W.H. Tigney, Ramon Cardona, the U.S. Grant Post No. 327 of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the 14th Regiment of the Grand Army of the Republic's anniversary celebration.
Several photographs in the collection, as well as items in the photo album, were taken by Ella Maude Cranston, an amateur photographer. Glass plate negatives in the series include images of the interior and exterior of Alfred and Elizabeth Petford Cranston's home at 524-526 Quincy Street, numerous members of the family and friends in individual and group portraits both formal and casual, Brooklyn city scenes, General Fowler's grave in Green-Wood Cemetery, and gardens and outdoor scenes. Includes two photos with Alfred Cranston and his bike, one photo of two young girls (Elsie and Lillian Cranston) playing in backyard with tea sets and dolls, circa 1900, and several photos of the family at home in their parlor.