The University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Brooks Farm

Summer Scenes, Brooke Farm, 1922

1922-1923
1 vol. 0.1 linear feet
Call no.: PH 037
Depiction of Haying at MAC
Haying at MAC

In 1922, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts appropriated $15,000 for the Massachusetts Agricultural College to purchase sixty acres of land lying immediately north of the existing Experiment Station. Known as the William P. Brooks Experimental Farm, the property was intended as a site for experimental work devoted to the dominant crops of the Connecticut Valley, tobacco and onions.

This small homemade photograph album documents a picnic and group outing at the Brooke (i.e. Brooks) Farm at Massachusetts Agricultural College in September 1922. Although the participants — over thirty of them — are unidentified, they took part in standard picnic activities, including a tug of war, three legged race, and rope jumping. The album contains labeled snapshots pasted onto thick brown paper, tied with a brown ribbon, and includes images of haying on the farm (with Stockbridge Hall in the background) and the homes of William P. Brooks and Prof. Arthur N. Julian.

Background on Brooke Farm

In 1922, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts appropriated $15,000 for the Massachusetts Agricultural College to purchase sixty acres of land lying immediately north of the existing Experiment Station. Known as the William P. Brooks Experimental Farm, the property was intended as a site for experimental work devoted to the dominant crops of the Connecticut Valley, tobacco and onions.

Contents of Collection

This small homemade photograph album documents a picnic and group outing at the Brooke (i.e. Brooks) Farm at Massachusetts Agricultural College in September 1922. Although the participants — over thirty of them –are unidentified, they took part in standard picnic activities, including a tug of war, three legged race, and rope jumping. The album contains labeled snapshots pasted onto thick brown paper, tied with a brown ribbon, and includes images of haying on the farm (with Stockbridge Hall in the background) and the homes of William P. Brooks and Prof. Arthur N. Julian.

A dedication inside the front wrap of the album reads: “New Year Greetings to The Bullard Family from Mr. and Mrs. Nathan J. Hunting, 1923. Snap shots by Harry W. Fay.” The Nathan J. Hunting and his wife Beatrice (Fay), the Bullards, and Harry W. Fay were all residents of New Salem, Mass., and Nathan J. Hunting was a 1901 graduate of Massachusetts Agricultural College. Although the album is labeled “Brooke” Farm, and though it contains an image of the home of William P. Brooks, it seems probable that the farm depicted is the newly acquired Brooks Farm. The photographs appear to have been taken from a location on or near the Brooks Experimental Farm.

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Inventory of Collection

Photo album wrapper
1922
5.25×3.75″
Photo album wrapper
Dedication
1922
Dedication
The Cottage
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
The Cottage
The tug of war
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
The tug of war
Another picnic scene
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print

The homes of William Penn Brooks and Arthur N. Julian can be seen in the background.

Another picnic scene

The three-legged race — the start
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
The three-legged race -- the start
The three-legged race — The finish
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
The three-legged race -- The finish
Jumping rope
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
Jumping rope
More rope jumping
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
More rope jumping
The picnic group
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
The picnic group
September 2, 1922
1922 Sept. 2
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
September 2, 1922
“Just us”
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
Just us
Haymaking at Brooke Farm, near Stockbridge Hall at M.A.C.
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print

The rear of Stockbridge Hall is visible in the background.

Haymaking at Brooke Farm, near Stockbridge Hall at M.A.C.

Residences of Dr. Wm. P. Brooks and Prof. Julian
1922
3.25×2.25″ silver gelatin print
Residences of Dr. Wm. P. Brooks and Prof. Julian

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Provenance

Gift of Jean F. Hankins, Otisfield, Mass. (2005-016).

Processing Information

Processed by Dex Haven, May 2011.

Copyright and Use (More informationConnect to publication information)

Cite as: Summer Scenes, Brooke Farm, Amherst, Massachusetts (PH 037). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Subjects

Amherst (Mass.)--PhotographsBrooks Experimental Farm (Amherst, Mass.)HayMassachusetts Agricultural College--PhotographsPicnics--Photographs

Contributors

Fay, Harry W.

Types of material

Photograph albumsPhotographs