During an Everett, Massachusetts home renovation, dozens of Depression-era objects were found in a wall.
Among the items was a full pre-teen’s purse, lost between an attic wall and the unfinished floor rafters. Also discovered was a partial paystub, a strip of 1929 photograph negatives, several whiskey bottles, a 1932 Hotel Bradford dance flyer, newspaper clip coupons for the then-extant Revere Beach amusement park, smoking materials and an address book with several entries.
Ara Hagopian’s The Literate Show was given exclusive access to these historic items. The resulting seven photo greeting cards showcase the objects in a series of themes:
Card #281: “Depression-era Contents of a Young Girl’s Purse”
Card #283: “Enjoy Yourself at the 1932 Annual Ball, Boston, MA”
Card #284: “Vintage American Sinners”
Card #285: “Everyday Life, Two Months Before the Great Depression”
Card #286: “Post-Prohibition Bottle Labels”
Card #287: “A New Look at the 1920’s”
Card #288: “A New Look at the 1920’s, part 2”
Included in the find was a small strip of photograph negatives, adding human faces to the items they’ve left behind.
Every item pictured below came from the Everett renovation.
A full story is being prepared on the artifacts and will be published in the March 2018 book.
very cool -where did you get all these vintage objects? neat idea Ara!
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Hi Jen, I’m friends with the renovator and he knows I love old things. He told me the story and gave me access to the items. He is a generous man. Thanks for commenting!