A Performance Group in Costume likely in Harrison County, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1900-1920
Description:
Nine unidentified individuals pose in costume. Three of them sit on horses. Five of them stand on a carriage drawn by those horses, two of which wear large pots against their bellies. The man in the forefront, dressed in two, vertical striped colors, holds what appears to be a jousting rod.
Grand Army of the Republic Gun Exhibition, Clarksburg, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1900-1920
Description:
The Grand Army of the Republic, or G.A.R., was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, Union Navy, Marines and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War for the Northern/Federal forces. Its peak membership, at more than 490,000, was in 1890, a high point of various Civil War commemorative and monument dedication ceremonies. It was succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, composed of male descendants of Union Army and Union Navy veterans.The G.A.R. was organized into "departments" at the state level and "posts" at the community level. This old artillery gun monument was dedicated by the G.A.R. Department of West Virginia, Custer Post No. 8.The plaque beneath the gun reads, "This gun was cast at Sevilla Spain, May 9th 1795, is 12 ft. in length, Caliber 6 3/8 inches weighs 6283 lbs. It was captured from the Spanish by Admiral Dewey, at Cavite Arsenal, near Manila, P.I. [Philippines] in May 1898, brought to N. Y. Navy Yard in the U. S., S. Buffalo [South Buffalo, New York]. Loaned by the Navy Department to Custer Post No. 8 G.A.R. was Mounted on Platform June 23rd, 1899. On July 4th, 1899, the Gun was unveiled by members of Custer Post with suitable ceremonies."
A group of men are pictured loitering outside of the Lost Creek Station Western Union Telegraph Office. In the background is an advertisement for United States Express Company Money Orders.
School Union No. 7 Class on Old Post Farm, Good Hope, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1900-1917
Description:
A group of school children stand outside of the one-room school house. A woman, presumably the teacher, sits at a desk in the middle of the group. The school was located on an old farm property belonging to the Post family.
Horse-Drawn Mower Harvesting Hay likely in Lewis County, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1900-1920
Description:
A man stands on top of a giant heap of hay, while another lifts hay onto the heap. A third man sits at behind the mower, holding the reigns of the horses that are pulling the large mowing machine across the field.
Children Holding American Flags, likely Preston County, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1900-1920
Description:
Two unidentified children pose together as they hold up small American flags, perhaps in celebration of Independence Day. The flags appear to have 45 stars, indicating that this photo was taken between 1896 and 1907.
Members of Patriotic Order Sons of America, Albright, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1900-1920
Description:
The organization, one of the oldest fraternal societies in America, was established in 1847 as the Junior Sons of America. In 1868, the organization was renamed the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Members are all native-born or naturalized American male citizens, 16 years and older, wishing to create brotherhood.