Timeline
A century of change
Key moments from the age of these photographs. Most prints have no recorded date, so the eras below are broad estimates.
The first cameras
Wet-plate photographers, the coffee boom and the railway to Kandy. 57 photographs.
1880–1899Harbour and hill country
A new harbour, the rise of tea and the first surveys of the ancient cities. 1,388 photographs.
From 1900A new century
Trams in Colombo, rubber estates and the picture postcard. 153 photographs.
- 1857
A lighthouse clock tower is built in Colombo Fort
- 1864
The Galle Face Hotel opens
- 1867
The railway reaches Kandy
- 1869
Coffee leaf disease is recorded, beginning the decline of the coffee estates
- 1873
The Old Town Hall is built in Pettah
- 1875
The Grand Oriental Hotel opens; the foundation stone of the Colombo breakwater is laid
- 1877
The Colombo Museum is established
- 1885
The Colombo breakwater is completed; the railway reaches Nanu Oya
- 1890
Organised archaeological work begins in the North Central Province under H. C. P. Bell
- 1894
The railway reaches Bandarawela
- 1895
The coast railway reaches Matara
- 1900
Electric trams begin running in Colombo; Boer prisoners of war begin arriving, many held at Diyatalawa
The photographs illustrate each subject and were not necessarily taken in that year.