This photo is by James Van Der Zee, the great chronicler of Harlem, N.Y.C. during its heyday in the 1920s-1930s and beyond. Van Der Zee documented--and was a part of-- the Harlem Renaissance and the emerging black middle class. His photo studio was on Lenox Ave., between 123rd and 124th streets. The Handmaids of Mary Convent, one of the few black convents in the U.S. at the time, according to
one web site, was located on 124th St., and it's a fair guess that this school was connected with the Handmaids. The young "nurses" cradling their dolls could be learning the basics of first aid. Each doll seems different, maybe one that belonged to each child, so it also might have been a play time exercise, not a strict instructional class.
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This is a fascinating picture.
ReplyDeleteInteresting pic - I wonder if they were being instructed in child care as well? There seem to be Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling - paper chains :-) Jo
ReplyDeleteWhat earnest little faces! I see paper chains hanging, so could they have been auditonong their dollies for the Nativity Play? :)
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute! What a wonderful picture and story. Thanks for posting it for us to enjoy,
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Is that a white girl on the right?
ReplyDeleteI think it is more likely that they are learning how to care for babies.
ReplyDeleteIt just makes you wonder what happened to them all : the start of so many lives, so many stories to be told.
ReplyDeleteOh they are all so precious and they appear to be ready to be real live nurses and mommies very soon! They have the roll down well!
ReplyDeleteThey are absolutely adorable! Loved reading this and seeing their bright smiles.
ReplyDeleteA gem of a find!
ReplyDelete:)~
HUGZ