Summertime in the Archive
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Now that we are finally shaking off winter for the year, I wanted to share some of my favorite images from the library’s local history archive that celebrate summer. Whether at work or at play, the people of the Rochester area enjoyed the warmer months much like we do today!
We think that this picture was probably taken at Bloomer Park. I don’t know if I’d wear heels and stockings for a hike, but these women don’t seem too bothered.
This summerhouse sat in the yard of the Woodward residence, off of North Main Street. The smiling woman third from left is Eva Woodward Parker. Her endowment enabled the fledgling Avon Township Public Library to build its first permanent home at 210 W. University.
Note the dam and the swimming hole in the background. Do you remember swimming at the park?
Taken at the Frank Kremer Farm in Oakland Township. Frank would take his produce all the way down to Eastern Market in Detroit.
Each year, the members of the volunteer fire department would take a camping trip together. Do you have memories of summer camping with your friends?
I love this picture of women from the Mack family relaxing in hammocks. I can imagine a warm summer afternoon when it’s too hot to be inside, so you move outside in the hopes of catching a refreshing breeze.
One thing that always strikes me when I see photos like these is how similar we are to the people who came before us. We experience the same comings and goings of the seasons, and celebrate the arrival of summer like only Michiganders can!
Want to see more? Visit our ever-growing digital archive at Greater Rochester History Online. If you have photos that you would like us to digitize and add to our collection, contact hilary.maurin@rhpl.org.
This post was written by Hilary Maurin, Adult Services Librarian at RHPL
