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July 1938. Another view of the rowhouses in Ambridge, Pa. View full size. 35mm nitrate negative by Arthur Rothstein for the Farm Security Administration.
Comment on the folks in the alley & the tub
Standing: Mrs. Degenaro.
In tub: Rose Degenaro
Girl standing: Irene Manzaris
If you need any more info on some of these photos or would like to see more, wait about one month (check back in November 2011) and see more photos.
The annual First Street Ambridge dinner will be held on Friday, October 21 at Franzee/Javys in Ambridge. Reception starts at 5:00 pm. Dinner at 6:00 pm.
You can buy tickets at the Maple Restaurant in Ambridge - price: $20.00 !
Call Mishko - 724-869-3431
What I love in this one is the mom tipped back in her chair. Rarely do women do that at all, much less a mom. If I had dime for every time my mother whacked the back of my head and told me to stop leaning back in my chair, I could've lost millions in market instead of thousands!
You can tell it's as hot as heck, and judging by the shadows, about high noon. The women cower in the shade, which is probably a darn sight cooler than the inside of their ancient dwellings. They're in their summer sundresses, maybe waiting for the ice cream man to come along. Meanwhile, the kids play on, unaware (as kids are) of the potential to wilt in the heat.
In a recent article in the Beaver County Times, a particular photo is mentioned:
Arthur Rothstein’s iconic Depression Era photograph centers on a girl cooling off on a hot day, sitting in a galvanized washtub filled with water outside a row of slum housing on First Avenue in Ambridge. First Avenue was known as Marshall Alley.
I grew up with the daughters of one of the children in the photo and I would really like to get a look at it ... any suggestions?
[It's probably the photo below, from July 1938. - Dave]
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