Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
May 1939. "Old cable ferry between Camden and Gee's Bend, Alabama." 35mm negative by Marion Post Wolcott, Farm Security Administration. View full size.
I just saw the quilts and met some of the women who made them here in Louisville, KY at the Speed Museum. I was amazed and blown away. They were beautiful.
Apparently Gee's Bend hasn't changed much since 1939, its still of the remotest and most poverty stricken communities in Alabama.
I've ridden the new ferry and it really is like stepping back in time.
This is cool! This of course is the same Gee's Bend of the quilting community fame; the fact that the town was only accessible by ferry (and therefore remote) was considered a factor in how the artisans evolved their unique artistic style.
Alternate transportation didn't arrive till the 1960s. Interestingly apparently the ferry has been running again for the past couple years.
Thanks for posting this great and historic pic.
http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/history/
http://www.geesbendferry.com/
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5