9/9/11
Deconstructing PHI TAU HOUSE PARTY in 1909
Phi Tau House PartyState College Commencement June 11-16 , 1909
This was at Pennsylvania State College according to a pillow one woman is holding. There are a few names written on the back, but nothing specifically corresponds with the image.
Click on image to see it larger.
I've owned this photo for close to 40 years. I used to have it stuck on my wall before I ever thought of these photos having any value; they were merely something to look at.
Over the coming days I will do what I often do with group photos...deconstruct it. Small portions of the image will be shown before "unveiling" the full image. I find it easier to take in the whole by looking at the few.
As far as the Phi Tau house, Wikipedia lists it as a coeducational fraternity at Dartmouth College founded in 1905. There is no mention of a house at Penn State. I now see a Tau Phi at State, but no Phi Tau. (Okay, just typing that has me thinking of the line in the old Bob Newhart show, "More goo to go." Never mind. It had to do with a bunch of drunks ordering Chinese food on Thanksgiving.)
9/6/11
AN ACCIDENT waiting to happen
Alan at Sepia Saturday has posted this weeks "theme" photo so I thought I'd oblige by staying on theme. That is I'm assuming the theme is "men about to fall down stairs."
The HAT CLUB FOR MEN
If you live in the US you've probably heard of the Hair Club for Men. Well, I give you the "Hat Club For Men" from long ago.
Poor little Howard longed for when he was old enough to wear a hat. Alas there were many tough years ahead (so to speak) before his pate would be covered with a masculine chapeau.
Click on image to see it larger.
The rites of passage of this particular Scandinavian group were written into their family history. Beanies after age 7, but seriously, no kid wanted to wear a beanie for too long so most went hatless. Upon their 14th birthday they were taken shopping by an elder uncle who would make hat suggestions, mostly through grunts and nods, until the boy, almost a man, had made a decent choice.
Caps were frowned upon, but after much gossip amongst family members, the cap wearer was usually given a reluctant "okie dokie" and left alone.
Howard did not want a cap. He had his eye on a light beige felt hat with a deep blue ribbon band. His mother warned him not to get his heart set on it because fashion was fickle and the hat might be gone before he reached the Age of Chapeau.
Secretly Howard would ride his bike past Burford's Hat Shop each day on his way home from school. He would stop and stare at the hat, dreaming of the day he became a hat wearing man.
Alas, by the time Howard was of age he shocked everyone by choosing a cowboy hat. The family began regretting their immigration.
9/3/11
A WELL-TO-DO brother and sister
Just making it under the wire I give you my contribution to this weeks Sepia Saturday. Trying to clean the house and prepare food for our annual BBQ had me wondering if I'd find time to get here. So now before my guests arrive...
Taking a leap with Alan's theme I give you two children from a well-to-do family. These photos were purchased at an estate sale many years ago. I do not know what became of the little boy, but the woman married a Naval officer. She had two children, a son and daughter. I do not know what became of the daughter, but the son was killed in an experimental plane crash. I do not know if she was alive when this happened. I have a few photos of her with her son and her as a bride. She was a beautiful child who grew into a beautiful woman.
This first image was taken in Davenport, Iowa by Hostetler. I have no information about the second photographer. Both are very large prints.
Click on either image to see it larger.
Attention Genealogists
If you'll be attending the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference this coming week in Springfield, Illinois drop by booth 809 and say "Hi" to my friend Lorel Kapke, creator of genealogy software Sort Your Story.
9/1/11
DECONSTRUCTED couple: Part 5
Sometimes I become entranced with an image, longing to know about the people. I feel this way about this woman. I want her to become alive, three dimensional with all her flaws and charms.
What was her passion in life? Was she free with thought and feelings? Was she fulfilled by her life? Would we be able to talk to her as equals though so much time has passed? As a young girl did she ever throw her head back in joy and spin around and around beneath the expansive sky smiling in anticipation of life? I wonder.
Nothing left but dust floating with the currents.
Click on image to see it larger.
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