Will Seippel | July 8, 2025

Some of you may know that I collect vintage photographs and negatives. I have built such an extensive collection that I created a website called History in Photographs (HIP) to showcase and sell the photos. These aren’t just simple snapshots; they give us a glimpse into history and leave us brimming with questions.

I am excited to begin sharing my collection by selecting a few of the most intriguing photographs and inviting different experts to help us piece together the hidden narratives. Every picture tells a story, and it’s up to us to uncover it.

Our first expert is Meghan Boemer, a historical interpreter, reenactor, and writer who has traveled thousands of miles to learn about historical locations, records, and figures. She has agreed to share her expertise in period clothing with me, hoping to enhance our understanding of the subjects in the photos.

Boemer tells us the context of this photo of a young child decked out in what looks to her Sunday best. “This portrait was taken in the 1890s. Boys and girls were dressed indistinguishably from one another until they were old enough to walk on their own. At that time girls like this one would wear clothing very similar to what adults of the time were wearing. The only difference is their hemlines. Girls, for instance, had shorter skirts, so they were less likely to trip on them. This lasted until they came of age. This girl has likely only just transitioned from wearing baby clothes to emulating a grown woman, as she is unsteady enough to need to hold a chair back in this photo. She is likely upper class considering how much embellishment there is on her bonnet, the ermine trim on her Inverness coat, and the fact that she even has a little handbag to match her ensemble.”

I find it so interesting to learn what the clothing or other items in a picture might say about the subject’s life and times. Was this child fidgety in all that finery, or maybe she was happy to be dressing more like a “big girl?” Knowing the details is essential; a picture is much more than someone posed and stiff. Beyond the setting and the pose, there is so much more in a picture that brings it to life. Background, any objects they are holding, or a room or area surrounding them are all details that can reveal some of the history of the age and help us understand what life was like.

Do you have any information about this photo? I know that it was taken by Alice Curtis, a pioneer in photography. She left her collection of pictures to her grandson, Fred Bodin, and I acquired his collection before he passed away. I would love to hear from you if anyone recognizes the child in the photo. Please feel free to message me on LinkedIn if you have any details or clues to share. Thank you!