This collection contains the photographs of Charles T. Goodsell, a professor of public administration and public affairs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and director of the university's Center for Public Administration and Public Policy.

The photographs in this collection were produced during Goodsell's work on two of his books: The Social Meaning of Civic Space: Studying Political Authority through Architecture and The American Statehouse. The images and published works, which examine the interplay of architecture and politics in the state capitols, city halls and municipal buildings of the United States, are of value to students and professionals in history, architecture and political science. Using analysis and photographs of exteriors and interiors, Goodsell demonstrates how the architectural elements embody political values and ideas.

In addition to the photographs of public buildings in the United States, the collection also includes images of municipal buildings and landmarks in Australia, England, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy and New Zealand. The collection also contains negatives for the above-described photographs, as well as published copies of the two books.