While there’s still a bit of summer left in the United States, there’s still time to visit a state or county fair.

The Vermont State Fair, 1941

Library of Congress

The New York State Fair, 1918

Cornell University Library

The Oregon State Fair, 1912

Oregon State University Archives

The Florida State Fair, 1947

State Library and Archives of Florida

Garfield County Fair, Colorado, 1973

U.S. National Archives

Cheshire County Grange Fair, New Hamphire, 1892

Keene and Cheshire County (NH) Historical Photos

Ever wonder what it is that museum and gallery curators do? How they decide what to buy, what to keep and where, what to show and how? Now’s your chance to find out! Ask a Curator is your one-day opportunity to pick the brains of dozens of curators from around the world, including from many Commons institutions. Find out how you can participate at AskaCurator.com.

NASA Deputy Administrator Robert Seamans, von Braun and President Kennedy at Cape Canaveral

Join us in welcoming NASA to its newest outreach post on the Internet: the Commons on Flickr.

NASA joins the Commons with three sets of historical images. NASA Center Namesakes present the people behind the names of NASA’s field centers, with a wealth of biographical information as well. Building NASA takes us behind the scenes of the construction of NASA’s unique facilities. And Launch/Takeoff highlights the moments that have thrilled us all who have watched NASA from outside over the years.

“Pure joy is no respecter of purses at the seashore in the summer time”
New-York Tribune illustrated supplement, August 28, 1910

Chronicling America (Library of Congress) (DLC) – lccn.loc.gov/2007618519

creator: William P. Gottlieb
[Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald, New York, N.Y., ca. Nov. 1946]
Library of Congress: LC-GLB23- 0287

view + comment on Flickr

… as found by Penny in two different Commons collections. David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson photographed Lady Eastlake in 1845, seemingly on different days.

George Eastman House

National Galleries of Scotland

Nine months ago, we released Indicommons for iPhone® and iPod touch® as a great way to keep up with the Commons wherever you were — allowing you to browse through the various Commons collections or to search within the Commons for something specific. We’re pleased to announce today a major upgrade to the Indicommons app to provide full iPad support. With its 9.7-inch screen, the iPad is a truly superb way to look through the Commons.

With the app, you can not only read the latest blog entries from us here at Indicommons, but you can also directly access the wealth of photos held within the Commons — right from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Whether you just want to casually browse through the various photo sets belonging to each member institution or search for photos across the whole of the Flickr Commons, the Indicommons app makes it easy for you to find whatever you are looking for.

If you have a Flickr account, you can add tags and comments to Commons photos directly from the app, and if you find a photo that you particularly like, you can quickly and easily add it to your favourites on Flickr. New in this version of the app is the ability to build up Flickr Galleries containing your favourite Commons photos, allowing you to share your own view of the best of the Commons.

Indicommons for iPad and iPhone is a free download and is available on the App Store℠ (show in iTunes®). The app requires an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch running OS 3.1.3 or later and an internet connection.

If you have an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, download the Indicommons app today and give it a whirl! And if you have any feedback on the app, please do let us know what you think, here or in the Flickr Commons group.