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Interpreting the Evidence

Photographic Brooches

  • Documents in this Activity:
  • Historical Eras:

    Turn of the Century and WWI (1890 - 1930)

  • Thinking Skill:

    Historical Analysis & Interpretation

  • Grade Level:

    Middle School
    High School

  • Topics:

    LGBTQ+
    Women

  • Primary Source Types:

    Artifact

  • Regions:

    New York State
    United States

  • Creator:

    NYS Archives Partnership Trust Education Team

  1. Load Photographic brooches in Main Image Viewer
  2. Load Photographic brooches in Main Image Viewer
  3. Load Photographic brooches in Main Image Viewer
  4. Load Photographic brooches in Main Image Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

In the late 19th and early 20th century, “romantic friendships” between young, same-sex couples, were accepted, especially in settings like college campuses. Some of these relationships were purely platonic, while others included physical intimacy. Society’s expectation was that these relationships would ultimately end when both partners settled into traditional married life with an opposite sex partner. Historic records show us that not all young couples moved on, and some women (particularly upper-class women, who had more financial freedom) continued to live in “Boston marriages.” These photographic brooches came to the museum as part of a photographer’s studio collection. Unfortunately, there was no information included about the sitters, so we don’t know who they were, or what their relationship was—other than the fact that they look happy in each other’s company!

Learning Standards: 
11.10 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGE/DOMESTIC ISSUES (1945 – present): Racial, gender, and socioeconomic inequalities were addressed by individuals, groups, and organizations. Varying political philosophies prompted debates over the role of the federal government in regulating the economy and providing a social safety net. (Standards: 1, 4, 5; Themes: ID, TCC, SOC, GOV, CIV, ECO)
11.10b Individuals, diverse groups, and organizations have sought to bring about change in American society through a variety of methods.
Gay Rights and the LGBT movement (e.g., Stonewall Inn riots [1969], efforts for equal legal rights)

8.9 DOMESTIC POLITICS AND REFORM: The civil rights movement and the Great Society were attempts by people and the government to address major social, legal, economic, and environmental problems. Subsequent economic recession called for a new economic program. (Standards: 1, 4, 5; Themes: TCC, SOC, CIV, ECO)
8.9b The civil rights movement prompted renewed efforts for equality by women and other groups.
Students will examine struggles for equality and factors that enabled or limited success on behalf of women, farm workers, Native Americans, the disabled, and the LGBT community.