One Thousand Words

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Probably a Seattle Middle School--June, 1954


When a picture speaks a thousand words, are you listening?  Are you following the obvious pathways as well as the subtle hints that whisper in the shadows?

Recently, SKCGS received a large box of photographs that had been stored in a shed beyond the demise of the people in the photos. We have taken on the task of sorting and identifying snapshots and looking for people who are researching the families involved. Do you love solving mysteries? We're looking for volunteers; write to resources@skcgs.org with your offer of help.

Some of the photos are beyond snapshots.  The image above is obviously a school photo; a stamp on the back is for the Perkins Studio, 507 North 68th St., Seattle 3, WA. There is nothing that tells us which school it is so we have to put on our observation hats to try to solve the mystery.


Stamp on back of the photo

"June 1954" is written in white in the lower right corner of the photo.  In the lower left corner is the number "947," a means of ordering copies of the photo from the Perkins Studio.

Looking closely at the subjects of the photo, I am estimating these students to be about 12 years of age. These students probably just finished 7th grade. In June 1954, I could have been in this photo. (I am not in the photo; I was living a parallel life in Wyoming at that time). 

Where in Seattle might this school have been? The students are widely diverse which makes me wonder if the school might have been near Garfield High School with students from both the International and Central Districts. Were Seattle Public Schools bussing students in 1954? If so, to what extent?

I am going to contact the Seattle Public Schools Archives for help with this photo. The ultimate goal is to make it available publicly if it is not already. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Researching an orphan photo such as this is a rewarding challenge with great opportunity to learn new techniques and resources. Have you ever researched a photo such as this? What questions did you have? What resources did you use? What was the outcome? Share your experience; tell us about it.

Send your stories to m.strickland@skcgs.org.


MaryLynn Strickland




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