Dorothy Wasson & Unidentified Children in Halloween Costumes

Name/Title

Dorothy Wasson & Unidentified Children in Halloween Costumes

Description

A sepia-toned snapshot of a four children in Halloween costumes.

Photograph Details

Subject

Halloween Costumes; Dorothy Wasson Surber (2nd from right)

Subject Person or Organization

Dorothy Wasson Surber

Subject Place

County

Shelby County

State/Province

Indiana

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Context

The second child from left is dressed in Blackface, a historically racist practice in which non-Black performers dress in costumes and makeup to portray a caricature of Black people. It is an offensive and dated mode of performance and does not represent the views of the Grover Center. This snapshot comes from Earl, Dollie, and Dorothy Wasson's family photo album. The photographs in this album are largely unidentified, though they may depict members of the Wasson, Marlin, Smith, Gilliland, and Clouse families. Many of the photographs were taken in Noble Township, though some may have been taken in Liberty Township or Bartholomew County, including Hope (Haw Creek Township), Rugby, and Columbus. Some photographs, especially those depicting WWI barracks and camps, were likely taken out of state and overseas. For a series of corresponding daily journals written by the family between 1916 and 1923, see: 2024.029.028 - 2024.029.032.

Collection

Wasson Family Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2024.029

Source or Donor

Martha M.M. Clark

Made/Created

Time Period

20th Century

Place

County

Shelby County

State/Province

Indiana

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Dollie Marlin Wasson, Earl C. Wasson, Dorothy Wasson Surber

Create Date

October 9, 2024

Update Date

November 8, 2024