This week’s photo appears to be a formal family photograph at first glance. However, upon further inspection there seems to be something odd going on. What do you think is happening in this photograph and what is its purpose? Don’t forget to send in your thoughts and captions; you can post them here on the blog or on our Facebook page.
“What a Likeness” (thanks to Ashley Hurlburt)
Last Friday’s photograph featured two unknown women, working together from either end of a table. We had asked if anyone knew who they were or what they were doing, and got some great feedback. J.G. Burdette commented on our blog that, “it looks like they’re either framing or ‘un-framing’ photographs.” A comment from Sue Garvin said that it, ”looks like the women in the blog are scrapbooking!” Nancy Gentile wrote that, “They are creating a photo album? Not sure what they are working with- something to do with tintype photos?” Finally, Ashley Hurlburt thought that these sisters are “bonding and of course gossip[ing] about each one of the people in the photographs.” After reading the comments that we received, there seems to be some consensus that these women are working with photographs, but exactly what they are doing still remains unknown. Our best guess is that these late nineteenth century women are probably sisters [maybe even twins, did you notice how similar they look?!], and that they are processing photographs. Even though we don’t know who these women are, we DO know that this photo was taken in Effingham, a small town in Illinois, and is part of our Hasbrouck/Schooley Collection.
On the Street 
I dont know what’s going on but those little kids with mustaches and beards are priceless haha
Looks like little children are playing wedding. I’m not sure about the one in the background that looks like a mountain man. The child towards the front is wearing a mustache, and the girl towards the back left look like she is wearing an older ladies outfit.
Thanks for your comment, J.G.!
I think the children are acting out a wedding scene. Yes, I also saw fake beards and mustaches. The older person, a young teenager, is the acting preacher. Perhaps the parents did not have a picture of their wedding and thought the children could fill in as a anniversary present.
“A Big Thumbs up”!!
Thank you for the comments! A new photo will be posted tomorrow!
Love the boy with the handle bar mustache on the right side of the photo! It seems kind of bizarre to have kids dressed up as a wedding party.
Where is the Hasbrouck/Schooley collection located?? My Hasbrouck relatives were from Effingham and Mattoon – Alpheus and Mary Ann Hasbrouck! How do I see the rest of the pics? I have a picture of Alpheus that was handed down to me by my grandmother. It, interestingly looks just like my BROTHER!! – Patricia Hasbrouck Martin, Richardson, Texas