Friday, February 8, 2008

Keipp Collection

February is Black History Month in the USA, and a rare collection of late-19th Century photographs of tenant farmer families is displayed at the Old Depot Museum. The Keipp Collection is a series of stunning black and white photos made by Mary Morgan Keipp, daughter of a German immigrant. Her home was near an area where farm wagons parked to sell produce, so many of the pictures portray children playing as their parents sold or bought produce. However, some pictures such as this one, show life on the tenant farm.
What do you think this woman and child are doing?

*(I am told by the museum guide that during dry weather, water could be found by digging into the earth. The little girl is digging for water with a stick while the woman appears to be washing clothes. I would guess this might be a dry stream bed.)

12 comments:

Joy said...

Thanks for sharing this. Black History Month is in October in the UK.

joy
A Pinay In England
Your Love Coach
The Goddess In You
Norwich Daily Photo

Marcel said...

I love photos like this and the fact it is Black History Month makes this a very timely photo.

Joao Augusto Aldeia said...

The woman seems to be cleaning cloths; the girl is collecting something (snails?) or maybe weeds.
Interesting photo.

Jim Klenke said...

I have no idea what the little girl is doing. But its a great picture.

isa said...

Is the lady doing a wash? Is the girl collecting rocks for her?

Nice collection.

Annie said...

I'm sure whatever it was helped them survive.

Troop 1309 said...

That is a great photo. Thanks for posting it!

Pat said...

Oh, how sad really. What a lovely photo of such a sad time.


Pat

Guelph Daily Photo, My Photos.

Kate said...

I agree with the survival comment. Thanks for reminding us of Black History month!

Unknown said...

I love the photo and appreciate your sharing the information with us. I am touched by how difficult their lives must have been.

Andree said...

Thank you so much for this information and link. this is an important collection.

allmylife said...

I believe they are collecting roots and herbs for the seasoning of food and medications.