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Natives United, Fort Wayne, IN, United States, Indiana (2026)

11/15/2024

Photo: c.1936, Amidst the hardships of the Great Depression, a resilient mother in a skirt crafted from a flour sack cares for her baby. She tends to her family of nine, all living in a makeshift settlement by the Tennessee River adjacent to U.S.

11/15/2024

In this photo, my mom had just turned 18 years old. She was about to finish high school at a classical lyceum, where only eight students made it to the end—two girls and six boys. The others were all children of doctors, professors, and lawyers, but she was the only one whose parents were an electrician and a homemaker. My grandparents had only an elementary school education, and she had to wake up at five every morning to catch the bus with the working men to get to school. By her senior year, her paternal grandfather told her it was time to find a job; they were looking for a secretary, a well-paid and prestigious position for a good girl.
My mom was excellent in school and was sad to stop studying, but they couldn't afford it; there wasn't enough money. Then one evening, her father, my beloved grandfather Lidio, took her aside and said: "This money was set aside for your dowry. Take it and enroll in university. You can always buy sheets later." It was 1960, and my grandfather didn't even have a middle school diploma. He was an orphan from a young age, yet he was always light years ahead. After all, he had two daughters, and to those who said, "Poor thing, it’s a pity you didn't have a boy," he always replied that his daughters were the best thing life could offer him.
My mom graduated in five years, studying in the mornings and tutoring in the afternoons to support herself. She became a teacher, and since retiring, she writes books and edits theses, all thanks to a revolutionary working-class father who, in 1960, chose to invest in education rather than household linens. My grandfather was a superhero.
Credit - Original owner

11/15/2024

Among Queen Victoria’s grandchildren, few marriages were as ill-fated as that of Princess Marie Louise and Prince Aribert of Anhalt. Their story began in November 1890, at the wedding of Louise’s cousin, Princess Victoria of Prussia. Aribert charmed the young princess throughout the celebrations, and within four weeks, the two were engaged.
The wedding took place on July 6, 1891, in St George’s Chapel at Windsor. Following a family tradition set by her grandmother, Queen Victoria, Louise wore a “creamy white satin gown” with a sweeping train, adorned with orange blossoms and myrtle from Osborne House. She wore matching flowers on her head to secure her mother’s veil, creating a picture of traditional elegance.
However, happiness proved fleeting. Upon arriving in Dessau, Louise found her life stifled by rigid court protocols. Her movements were tightly controlled; even arranging an outing required a message to be passed through both a maid and a footman. Worse, Aribert, seemingly indifferent to his new bride, would often leave her alone for extended periods in a foreign land. In her memoir, My Memories of Six Reigns, Louise later wrote that they “were two complete strangers living under the same roof,” describing how unwanted and isolated she felt.
The unhappiness took its toll on Louise’s health, and the marriage ultimately came to a merciful end in December 1900 when Aribert sought an annulment. While he claimed that his life with her was "intolerable," he conveniently ignored his own neglect and his lavish spending of her money. Soon, rumors began to circulate about Aribert’s involvement with male servants. Wishing to avoid scandal, Queen Victoria quietly expedited the annulment.
With the marriage dissolved, Louise was finally free. She returned to live with her mother and sister, Princess Helena Victoria, reclaiming the independence that had been denied to her.

11/15/2024

The interior of the home of Mrs. Jacob Stooksbury in Loyston, Tennessee, in 1933 presents a glimpse into the modest living conditions of rural families during the Great Depression. The photograph, capturing the simple yet functional layout of the home, reflects the economic hardships many faced during this time. The furnishings are sparse but practical, with handmade or second-hand items that served the everyday needs of the family. A wood-burning stove, perhaps the primary source of heat for the home, dominates the space, illustrating the reliance on traditional forms of warmth and cooking in rural America during the 1930s.
Mrs. Stooksbury’s home in Loyston was likely representative of many families living in the Appalachian region, where life was often shaped by agriculture, isolation, and limited resources. The Great Depression had a profound impact on rural communities, where many families had to adapt to new economic realities. For those like the Stooksburys, work was often tied to farming or laboring on nearby land, and the household itself became a place of resilience, where each family member contributed to the upkeep of the home and farm. The stark simplicity of the space may have been a reflection of the family's resourcefulness and determination to make do with what they had.
While the home may have appeared modest, it also served as a center of family life, community, and survival during a challenging era. Despite the hardships, families like the Stooksburys relied on close-knit relationships, resourcefulness, and a deep connection to the land. Mrs. Stooksbury’s home, captured in this 1933 photograph, stands as a testament to the strength and perseverance of rural families in the face of economic adversity. The image serves as both a historical snapshot of life during the Depression and a reminder of the values of self-sufficiency, family, and resilience that were at the heart of rural American life during this time.

11/14/2024

I lived in these times and they were wonderful.We never had a lot but we were grateful for what we had. Lovely days all gone now when respect and good manners were a normal part of life.We felt safe and protected in these days.

11/14/2024

In this photo is Audrey Hepburn with Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father. Audrey Hepburn was born on May 4, 1929. The actress is best known for such films as Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but did you know that she turned down playing the role of Anne Frank? Here’s why.
What many may not know about Hepburn is that as a teenager she helped the Dutch resistance in WWII. Both Hepburn and Anne Frank were born in 1929. The two never met but Hepburn felt close to the young diarist, and lived within 60 miles of each other. While Hepburn was not Jewish, she spent several years of the war in a cellar to use as a bomb shelter and even faced near starvation. During this time she managed to arrange illegal dance performances, which raised money to support local families who were hiding Jews.
After the war, Otto reached out to Hepburn asking if she would play the role of his daughter for the movie adaptation of the well-known diary. But she declined. Hepburn felt unable to play the part, having had such a traumatic experience during the war, it would be too difficult. She said to Frank: “It’s a little bit as if this had happened to my sister .. in a way she was my soul sister.”
Photo: Luca Dotti

11/14/2024

Agatha Christie enjoyed tea on the balcony of the British School of Archaeology in Baghdad, Iraq, in the 1950s. Her second husband, Sir Max Mallowan, was a well-known archaeologist. Christie often traveled with him, helping uncover ancient Mesopotamian artifacts.
They met when Christie, newly divorced from her first husband after 14 years, decided to go on a solo adventure. She took the Orient Express to Baghdad, and while visiting the ruins of Ur, she met Mallowan. They married in 1930.
Being involved in Mallowan’s archaeological work inspired Christie’s writing. Her famous mystery, *Murder on the Orient Express,* was partly based on her own experience returning from one of her husband's digs in Iraq when the train was delayed for a full day due to bad weather. Her time in the Middle East also inspired other novels like *Murder in Mesopotamia* and *They Came to Baghdad.*
Image Credit: Peter Philim ( commons wikimedia )
Credit: American Philosophy ( Unauthorized copying is strictly prohibited )

11/14/2024

Jean Ritchie was a special singer who helped save old songs from the Appalachian mountains. Born in 1922 in Viper, Kentucky, she was the youngest of 14 children. Her family loved music and sang many old songs at home.
Jean grew up learning these songs on her family's front porch. After college, she moved to New York City in the 1940s. There, she sang with famous folk singers like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. She shared her Kentucky mountain songs with new people who had never heard them before.
Jean wrote her own songs too. She sang about real problems in her homeland, like strip mining in "Black Waters" and how trains stopped coming to small towns in "The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore." She played a musical instrument called the dulcimer and had a beautiful, clear voice.
One of Jean's most important jobs was saving old mountain songs. She wrote them down and recorded them so they wouldn't be forgotten. Many singers today still perform these songs because of her work.
People called Jean the "Mother of Folk" because she taught so many others about Appalachian music and culture. She helped keep mountain traditions alive through her songs and stories.
She showed how music can help us remember where we come from and bring people together. Her songs still remind us of life in the Appalachian mountains.
Image Credit: Kentuckian ( Wikimedia commons )
Text Credit: American Philosophy ( Unauthorized copying is strictly prohibited )

11/14/2024

In 1903, six sisters from Hindman, Kentucky, exemplified determination and resilience as they made the arduous daily journey to their settlement school, walking four miles each way. Hindman, located in the Appalachian foothills, was a remote region where access to education was limited, especially for children in rural areas. For these sisters, the trek was not just a matter of convenience, but of necessity, as the settlement school offered one of the few opportunities for formal education in the region. These young girls, dressed in simple, practical clothing, likely carried homemade books or materials wrapped in cloth, as they navigated through the mountainous terrain, often on foot, regardless of the weather or challenges.
The walk itself, through the rugged hills and valleys of eastern Kentucky, was a daily ritual that not only shaped their physical endurance but also bonded the sisters. It was common in this time and place for children to walk long distances to attend school, as rural communities often lacked school buses or other transportation options. The settlement school they attended was likely part of an effort to bring education to underserved areas, offering basic literacy, vocational training, and other life skills that could help the children improve their circumstances. For these girls, the school was a symbol of hope—a place where they could learn the skills to break free from the limitations imposed by their environment.
Despite the exhausting journey, the sisters likely saw education as a valuable privilege, something that could provide a way out of the hardships of rural life. Their dedication to attending school every day, walking four miles in each direction, reflects a profound commitment to bettering themselves and contributing to the future of their community. Education in such areas was not just about learning from books; it was about developing the tools needed for survival and progress in a challenging world. The image of these six sisters walking together, perhaps in the early morning light or at dusk after a full day of lessons, is a testament to the strength and perseverance of rural families in the early 20th century, who saw education as a path toward a better life, no matter the distance they had to travel.

11/14/2024

Japanese Couple's Self-portrait, 1920s💕
~This lovely pair snapped this photo of their reflection on an actual camera. This couple was clearly ahead of their time. It was quite rare to see an expression of affection in portraits in those days, especially in Japan, where public displays of affection are still somewhat frowned upon. The hand hold makes this image that much more special.
📸Credit to Original Photographer
**I posted this about 4 years ago and I ran across it again. I have no idea of the original source. 😔

11/14/2024

During the filming of Yellowstone, Jennifer Landon, who plays the tough and quirky ranch hand Teeter, often felt her father’s presence in spirit on set. Jennifer is the daughter of Michael Landon, a legendary actor known for his roles in classic series like Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. Growing up, she saw her father as not only a brilliant actor but also a compassionate figure who deeply cared for his cast and crew, treating them like family.
One day, while on set, a crew member mentioned Michael Landon and how much he admired his work, sparking a wave of pride in Jennifer. She shared stories of how her father set an example on his sets, always creating a supportive, family-like atmosphere. She talked about how he would stay behind after hours, helping young actors or talking with the crew, making everyone feel valued.
Jennifer’s pride in her father’s legacy was evident to everyone, and she often credited him as her inspiration for her dedication to her craft on Yellowstone. She was determined to honor him, not only by following in his footsteps as an actor but also by embodying the same values of kindness, hard work, and integrity he brought to his career. For her, every day on the Yellowstone set was a chance to continue his legacy, making her feel that much closer to him, even though he wasn’t physically there.

Natives United

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