Curious photos, unexpected histories, and everyday discoveries—explained with context, clarity, and a little wonder.
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This preserved scene shows Two African American women wearing coats stand talking to each other. A college building is behind them. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Two teachers having a conversation, Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo by Gordon Parks, 1943.
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This preserved scene shows An African American woman sits in a leather chair at a large wooden desk. Portraits hang on the walls and shelves and file boxes are visible behind her. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman College. Photo by Gordon Parks, 1943.
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This preserved scene shows A Japanese American female teacher holds a measuring tape near small scale evening gowns while a group of young women watch her carefully. Their work table is covered with fabric and spools of thread. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Fashion designing class, Manzanar Relocation Center, California. Photograph by Ansel Adams, around 1943.
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This preserved scene shows Three people sit at a long table covered with paper binders and a lantern slide projector. One of them, a uniformed woman, reads a book. Three other people tare in the background. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Mrs. Mary Spangler, a Woodrow Wilson High School teacher, at a class in organic chemistry which she attends in the evening. Photo by Esther Bubley, 1943.
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This preserved scene shows An African American male teacher stands watching a group of African American men and women painting at a table. Paintings hang from a board on the back wall. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Painting class at the South Side Community Art Center, Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Jack Delano, 1942.
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This preserved scene shows Seven teenagers are running in and out between posts in a dirt track. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Benjamin Franklin High School, New York, New York. High school boys growing physically fit through exercise. Photo by William Perlitch, 1942
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This preserved scene shows A female teacher in a long coat kneels while adjusting the clothing of a small child. Other children and playground equipment are visible in the background. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Children and their teacher at the FSA (Farm Security Administration) farm family migratory labor camp. Yakima, Washington. Photo by Russell Lee, 1941.
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This preserved scene shows A male teacher in a shirt and vest points to Mexico on a map of North America. A chalkboard filled with numbers is to his left. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: School teacher in grade school teaching geography. Concho, Arizona. Photo by Russell Lee, 1940.
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This preserved scene shows A female teacher leans over to check the paper of a girl seated at a desk. Other children sit at desks behind them. The catalog record identifies and dates the moment as: Grade school, San Augustine, Texas. Photo by Russell Lee, 1939.
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