Traveling exhibit depicts crusade against child labor
Baby-sitting, lawn mowing and a variety of "McJobs" come to mind when considering how American kids work in the 21st century. In the early 1900s, however, the picture for thousands of children in the U.S. was much different.
Young children, some no more than 6 years old, toiled long hours in harsh conditions in textile mills, canneries, coal mines, cotton fields and on city streets across the country.
What seems unthinkable by today's standards was the norm as America became an increasingly industrialized nation.
It was not until the late 1930s that child labor laws were enacted, and it took a passionate movement to make sweeping changes. Photographer Lewis Wickes Hine (1874-1940) spurred this movement forward when he was hired in 1906 by the National Child Labor Committee to document horrendous child labor conditions. The result was a collection of iconic photographs that changed the course of history.
The Elmhurst Historical Museum presents "Let Children Be Children: Lewis Wickes Hine's Crusade Against Child Labor," a national traveling exhibition organized by the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester, New York.
Featuring 56 reproductions of photos from the original Lewis Hine collection, the exhibit is open Thursday, Jan. 15, to April 5 at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. In addition to the photographs, visitors can view "America and Lewis Hine," a 1984 award-winning documentary by Nina Rosenblum.
"Let Children Be Children" depicts Hine's abiding concern for children, immigrants and working-class people. Over a 10-year period, Hine risked his life to gain entry to factories, sweat shops and workplaces to capture powerful photographs. His valiant effort gained the attention of the government and aroused public sentiment against child labor practices in the U.S.
Images tell story
Lance Tawzer, Elmhurst Historical Museum's curator of exhibits, said he expects the "Let Children Be Children" exhibit to have broad appeal across generations because it tells a powerful story from the past that strikes a pertinent chord in present times.
"The headlines are filled with ways that photos can change history," Tawzer said. "Now more than ever, images have a powerful influence on American culture. Whether it's video that captures an unexpected moment or a photo snapped on someone's phone, the media is filled with images that create powerful emotional connections.
"Those pictures tell stories that will undoubtedly shape history and, in his time, Lewis Hine did the same thing in an extraordinary way."
Related programs
The Elmhurst Historical Museum has planned a number of thought-provoking lectures and drop-in programs to enhance the learning experience of the "Let Children Be Children" exhibit.
Gallery talks: The public is invited to two special Gallery Talks at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, and Friday, Feb. 20.
• In January, historian and folk singer Bucky Halker will examine labor politics of the 20th century.
• In February, photography specialist and University of Chicago instructor Carl Fuldner will offer an art history approach to Hine's work.
Lecture series: Fuldner will return to discuss Hine's life, influences and legacy for photography at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. In his illustrated talk, "Looking and Learning: How Lewis Hine Came to Photograph Children," Fuldner will highlight Hine's background as a progressive educator and examine how Hine transformed the camera into a tool for affecting social change. The free lecture will be in the Elmhurst Historical Museum Education Center.
• History professors Erik Gellman of Roosevelt University in Chicago and Katherine Turk of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will discuss turn-of-the century efforts to document and regulate child labor in the United States at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in the education center.
"Children at Work: The History of Child Labor in the U.S." will look at how unions, muckraking journalists and other reformers exposed exploitation and called for new rights and protections at work. Visit the exhibit before the lecture from 1 to 7 p.m. The lecture is free.
Elmhurst Historical Museum's hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. For information, call (630) 833-1457 or visit elmhursthistory.org.
If you go
What: "Let Children Be Children: Lewis Wickes Hine's Crusade Against Child Labor," a travelling photo exhibit
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays; opening Thursday, Jan. 15, and continuing to April 5
Where: Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org