In 1936 North Carolina, the aftershock of the Great Depression was still very much present. Many families and farmers signed up for the FSA Resettlement Administration (established just a year earlier) which included loans and land in return for working on government-owned property. While FSA practices came under fire for quite sometime, one thing they did manage to do was bring in amazing photographers to capture this important part of North Carolina history. These pictures are simply fascinating.
- Penderlea homesteads.
Carl Mydans Wouldn’t it be nice to live this simply again?
- Kiddie pool.
Carl Mydans Two young children splash and play in Pender.
- Homemade cider?
Carl Mydans Two men demonstrate a homemade cider press in Raleigh.
- Washing clothes.
Carl Mydans Women wash clothes on the Crabtree Recreational Project near Raleigh.
- Paying a rehabilitation loan.
Arthur Rothstein After the Great Depression many families depended on FSA rehabilitation loans to get back on their feet.
- In the ‘sitting room.’
Arthur Rothstein Mrs. Bert Thompson sits with her son in their home in Wayne.
- General household duties.
Arthur Rothstein On the land of tenant farmer Bert Thompson in Wayne.
- Threshing day.
Dorothea Lange Farm hands pose for a picture on ’threshing day’ outside of Durham.
- A tobacco warehouse.
Arthur Rothstein A common scene from a tobacco warehouse in Durham.
- Lining up to repay loans.
Arthur Rothstein Resettlement clients line up to pay off loans after selling tobacco.
What did you think? Do you have personal experience? Tell us in the comments.
Carl Mydans
Wouldn’t it be nice to live this simply again?
Two young children splash and play in Pender.
Two men demonstrate a homemade cider press in Raleigh.
Women wash clothes on the Crabtree Recreational Project near Raleigh.
Arthur Rothstein
After the Great Depression many families depended on FSA rehabilitation loans to get back on their feet.
Mrs. Bert Thompson sits with her son in their home in Wayne.
On the land of tenant farmer Bert Thompson in Wayne.
Dorothea Lange
Farm hands pose for a picture on ’threshing day’ outside of Durham.
A common scene from a tobacco warehouse in Durham.
Resettlement clients line up to pay off loans after selling tobacco.
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