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Starting 2015 in Auld Lang Syne

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When I was looking for an image for our New Year’s Day post, I searched our photograph collections. There were plenty of images celebrating the start of a new year, but they didn’t quite provide the inspiration I wanted for a New Year’s post.

I then tried searching using the phrase “Auld Lang Syne.” I found this image of one of my favorite photographers, Frances Benjamin Johnson, posed sitting with peonies in the garden at “Auld Lang Syne”.  The place is beautiful but she looks determined and ready to move to her next adventure.

[Frances Benjamin Johnston, photographer, posed sitting with peonies in the garden at "Auld Lang Syne," James Herndon Lightfoot house, Takoma Park, Maryland] , 1938.
Frances Benjamin Johnston, photographer, posed sitting with peonies in the garden at “Auld Lang Syne,” James Herndon Lightfoot house, Takoma Park, Maryland , 1938.
I hope that in 2015 you find opportunities to sit in places of beauty,  to support your students, and to incorporate primary sources into classroom activities.

Comments (3)

  1. Espero que 2015 venga lleno de cosas buenas.

    ¡Feliz año!

    Imágenes integradas 1

    Afectuosamente, MVL

  2. Great choice!

  3. Information from Historic Takoma:

    Pierre Perrolle’s history of the LOC photo of TP house ——

    It’s 7315 Piney Branch, which we usually call the “Dorsey House”, which was on the H&G Tour about three years ago. It’s first owner was J Owens Dorsey (you can Google him) and I believe that’s his daughter, Virginia Lightfoot. The house was designed by Leon Dessez, who also did the Cady-Lee and the Naval Observatory/Admiralty House (VP’s residence). If my memory serves me correctly, there is a plaque on the front door that reads “Auld Lang Syne”.

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