When the Bench Breaks

It’s the time of year to enjoy eating in the great outdoors! Last week, a Flickr album of images of picnics launched. I included a photo very similar to this one in the album:

The photos were taken in August of 1940 by Marion Post Wolcott when she was working for the Farm Security Administration (FSA). As is often the case with FSA photos, there are a number of photos of the same subject. So I was looking at all the photos taken of the American Legion Post 39 fish fry in Oldham County, Kentucky.

What first drew my attention to this group of photos was the bench in one particular image:

It appears to be bending under the weight of its six picnic-goers. Evidently, the bench succumbed to the pressure and broke, sending at least one Legion member to the ground:

Here he is being helped up, appearing none the worse for wear:

Let’s end this post with what could’ve been one of the first photos Ms. Post Wolcott took of the group as she approached them. All of the folks smiling at the photographer make me want to join the festivities:

Learn More:

• See all of Marion Post Wolcott’s fish fry photos.
• Enjoy more picnic photos from the Farm Security Administration Collection.
• Study all of Marion Post Wolcott’s work for the FSA.