The Ada and Ida Britton Photography Collection contains photographs documenting Ada and Ida’s work with the American Committee for Devastated France (known by its French acronym, C. A. R. D.), as well as Britton family homes, trips, and vehicles. Many of the photographs were likely taken by Ada and Ida, who were avid photographers, although there is little indication as to who specifically took individual photographs. The lantern slides may have been used in public presentations given by the sisters, and many are hand-colored.

Much of the collection consists of photographs documenting the Britton sisters’ work with C. A. R. D. from 1920-1922. These photographs show ruined villages and members of the local community, as well as a Croix de Guerre Ceremony and the remnants of battlefields and other war sites.

The Britton family members were early adopters of car travel, and the collection includes several of their early vehicles as well as automobile trips through the American West and Southwest and to Watkins Glen, Niagra Falls, and Atlantic City. Photographs also show family trips to Waubeka, Wisconsin; Glacier National Park; Europe; and Mexico.

Other photographs in the collection show the house and grounds of Frank H. Britton’s Oakland Station home near Kirkwood, Missouri. Many of these photographs show family and friends posed on the grounds. The family’s homes at 4537 Forest Park and on Lindell Boulevard are also included.

Many of the photographs were identified by an unknown individual who used family names such as “Grandmother,” “Mother,” and “Aunt Dot.” The relationship of this individual to the Britton sisters is unclear. These identifications were originally made on slips of paper, and they have been copied onto the envelope for each plate or slide