Archives for November 26, 2014

NORTH ADAMS TOURS AND PRESENTATIONS

Since 1998, I have been conducting tours of North Adams, and making formal and informal presentations about the city. My tours and presentations are somewhat different from the traditional ones where guides or lecturers just point out a few historical buildings, or talk about … [Read more...]

Springfield, Vermont

Springfield, Vermont is a town of about 9,000 people. It's just a few miles off Route 91, and was built along the Black River. Up until recently, it was well known for its machine tool and telescope industries. Springfield has been struggling to improve its economy, with mixed … [Read more...]

Vermont Scenes

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Exhibits & Presentations

"Thank you so much for your presentation about the Lewis Hine mill children. The stories you tell and the photos you share are captivating, and bring history, genealogy and family to life. The work you are doing is so important and valuable not only to the families you touch, but … [Read more...]

Dignifying The Lives Of Ordinary People (2007)

Since last Christmas, my wife and I have been totally absorbed in the series of films often referred to as the "Up" movies. The seven films, all but the first produced and directed by Michael Apted, document the lives of 14 British boys and girls, all born in 1956, who are from a … [Read more...]

The Internet Archive Time Machine (2007)

As I have noted in several articles on this site, I grew up in the Washington, DC area. I was born in 1941, just several weeks before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. My father was in the US Army, and in 1944, he was sent to the Pacific Islands. My mother and I moved in with my … [Read more...]

Furman Owens, Augusta, Georgia

Lewis Hine caption: Fursen[?] Owens 12 years old. Can't read. Don't know A, B, C's. "Yes I want to learn but I can't when I work all the time." Been in mills 4 years, 3 years in Olympia Mill, Columbia, S.C. and 1 year here. Location: Augusta, Georgia, January 1909. I fell in … [Read more...]

The Baldwin family, Klamath Falls, Oregon

Dorothea Lange caption: Young mother, twenty five, says “Next year we'll be painted and have a lawn and flowers.” Rural shacktown, near Klamath Falls, Oregon, September 1939. General caption number 47. “Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it … [Read more...]

Carmina Caruso, Somerville, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: A typical view of Carmina Caruso, a ten year old Home Worker as she walks around crocheting as she goes. See also other photos of her and Home Work report. Location: Somerville, Massachusetts, August 1912. "In Italy, I think she got as far as the second … [Read more...]

Remembering Radio (2004)

Legendary radio personality Eddie Gallaher died recently at the age of 89. For nearly 60 years, he practically owned the morning airwaves in the Washington, DC area. My mother told me about Gallaher’s death during my visit with her in Easton, Maryland over the Christmas … [Read more...]

Poems Inspired By North Adams, Massachusetts, Page Two

Kitchen Helper was inspired by a conversation I had with a woman in North Adams who was waiting for a bus. Things That Aren't There was inspired by a number of conversations I had with people who told me personal stories about the effects of a huge urban renewal project in North … [Read more...]

Rosanne Cash Brings New Voice, New Songs To Latest CD (2003)

Despite eleven #1 singles in the 1980s, and three critically acclaimed albums in the 1990s, Rosanne Cash didn’t think of herself as a singer. From the age of nine, she just wanted to be a writer. Afraid of the downside of fame that she saw her father Johnny Cash experience, she … [Read more...]

Eva Caouette, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Comparison of ages: On right end is Mary Deschene, admitted 11 years, helped sister spool all summer in Glenallen Mill. Next her is Lumina Demarais, admitted 12 years, and doffing all summer in Spring Village Mill. Next is Rosina Coyette, said she was 14 but … [Read more...]

Jacob Rommel Family, Fort Collins, Colorado

Lewis Hine caption: A case of "Economic Need." Jacob Roomel [i.e., Rommel?] and his family live in this roomy shack, well-furnished, with a good range, organ, etc. They own a good home in Ft. Collins, but late in April they moved out here, taking contract for nearly 40 acres of … [Read more...]

Lucy Lampron, Leeds (Northampton), Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Mrs. Eugene Lampron, Reservoir Street, Leeds, Mass., putting the bristles into tooth brushes in the kitchen of her home. She has been doing it for 9 years, and showed the effect of it. Location: Leeds, Massachusetts, September 1912. It was raining in the … [Read more...]

Lena Helems, Leeds (Northampton), Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Mrs. Helems, Leeds, Mass., putting bristles into tooth brushes in an untidy kitchen. She makes about $4.65 a week usually. The sanitary conditions in most of these homes are pretty good, but some times filthy rooms are found and often tuberculosis with the … [Read more...]

Alberta McNatt, Cannon Delaware

Lewis Hine caption: Alberta McNadd on Chester Truitt's farm at Cannon, Del. Alberta is 5 years of age and has been picking berries since she was 3. Her mother volunteered the information that she picks steadily from sun-up to sun-down. Location: Cannon, Delaware, May … [Read more...]

Anatole Grenon, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Smallest is Anatole Gernon, Maple St. Apparently 11 or 12 years old. Doffs on top floor spinning room of Glenallen Mill. Speaks no English. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts, September 1911. "My mother was one of Anatole's sisters. Uncle Anatole was a … [Read more...]

Rosina Goyette, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Comparison of Ages: Left end, Marion Deschere, just passed 13 years. Helps sister in mill "some." Next is Mildred Greenwood, "going on 14." Goes to school. Next is Mamie La Barge, 13 years, but said 14 years. Right end is Rosina Goyette, said 14, probably 12 … [Read more...]

Paquet Family, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Family of Adrienne Pagnette: The three standing in front row are Adrienne, Anna and Francis. Adrienne, an adolescent French Illiterate. Speaks almost no English. Is probably 14 or 15. Doffs on top floor spinning room of Glenallen Mill. Anna, said she was 12 … [Read more...]