Historical information

This is a photo of a sewing class for young girls in Ithaca. The women are proud to show off their sewing machines as the acquisition of these items would allow them to make many personal and household items more quickly and efficiently than they could be made by hand.

Significance

Sewing was considered an important skill for young women and dressmaking was also a means to earn money to help support their families.

Physical description

A black and white scanned photograph taken outdoors of fourteen women sitting behind their treadle machines and posing with their needlework. Three women and a man are standing behind the group and two boys and a girl are sitting in the front on stools. A building with four large security windows/entrances in the background.

Inscriptions & markings

29 pas 7 is written on the back