Park
AA-2026-323B08
On the image
A man in pleated trousers and a button-down shirt stands in what appears to be a public park, his cigarette held with the relaxed confidence of someone who has not yet heard of lung cancer. This outfit was considered 'casual' in the 1950s, suggesting that true sartorial freedom was still several decades away.
His wife holds a young child who looks vaguely uncomfortable, a common side effect of being the smallest person in any family photo. Their daughter, meanwhile, sports a two-piece outfit that hints at the coming revolution in children's wear, although her expression suggests she might prefer a slightly less revealing ensemble for public consumption.
The wooden picnic tables suggest a day dedicated to wholesome outdoor recreation, an activity highly prized in an era when most public spaces still featured ample shade and room for children to roam. The reality likely involved lukewarm potato salad and a general sense of resigned contentment.
The historian's note
This image depicts a family enjoying an outdoor picnic in a park setting during the 1950s. Family outings were a common leisure activity reflecting post-war cultural emphasis on domesticity and accessible recreation.
Public parks provided venues for community engagement and simple entertainment, fostering a sense of wholesome family values. The clothing styles visible, including the man's casual shirt and pleated trousers and the children's summer wear, are characteristic of the mid-20th century.
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Family Picnic in a Park, 1950s. 1950–1959. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-323B08. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/family-picnic-in-a-park-1950s.
@misc{aaAA2026323B08,
title = {Family Picnic in a Park, 1950s},
year = {1950–1959},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-323B08},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/family-picnic-in-a-park-1950s}
}TY - ART TI - Family Picnic in a Park, 1950s PY - 1950–1959 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-323B08 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/family-picnic-in-a-park-1950s ER -
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