Education

17126 — African American Education Integrated multiracial grade school. c. 1890s-1910. Original silver gelatin print photograph. Mounted on board 8 x 10 in. Photograph dimensions: 6.75 x 8.75 in. Handwritten in blue ink on verso: "Grade School - St Joseph Mo. / Nina Case - Mother of Ninita P. Johnson & Harry E. Potter Jr." 44 students lined up in three rows with female teacher standing behind the last row. 12 of the students appear to be African-American children. Interestingly there is a large age range in the photograph as the youngest students' feet dangle off the ground while the oldest students appear to be several years older. This photograph comes from a rural school as one student in the front row has attended class that day barefoot. In the 19th century more women than ever before were entering the workforce as teachers; for rural teachers such as the one photographed here conditions could be challenging with as many as 60 students in one classroom and limited resources and support. Still women flocked to teaching as it offered independence and sense of purpose outside. Working in education gave many women a window onto a wider world of ideas politics and public usefulness. Mat condition: Light soiling; small losses to all four corners of mat; 1/4 in closed tear in left top edge of mat. Photograph condition: lightly toned; 1 annotation on front of photograph above student's head "X Nina Case"; otherwise photograph is in very good condition. unknown books