Scarborough Historical Society

Description

• Image Type: School class photograph, studio portrait, 8” x 6”.
• The group is arranged in two rows: the front row, seated, includes the teacher at the far left and 12 girls; the back row includes 13 boys, all standing.
• The clothing, hairstyles, and photographic style suggest the photo was taken around the 1930s or early 1940s.
• Handwritten near the lower-left corner is “612,” likely the photographer’s reference number.

Identifying Information

• The back bears Scarborough Historical Society accession number 89.9.2009, indicating it was donated by Dorothy Libby in 1989 and described as “School Picture.”
• A separate sheet of paper attached to the photo carries the same accession number and three names: (2) Sarah Wyman?, (11) Nancy Libbey, (12) Margaret Wright.

Research

• Based on my past research of school photos, this photo is similar in style and background to other photos taken of Oak Hill students during the 1930s and 40s.
• Nancy Libbey: The 1954 Four Corners lists Nancy Libbey in the class of 1956; the 7th grade class of the 1947 Oak Hill Grammar School also included Nancy Libbey. The 1940 U.S. Census lists Nancy Libby, the 5-year-old daughter of Albert and Abbie Libby, with a sister, Evangeline, in the household.
• Margaret Wright: The 1954 Four Corners indicates Margaret Wright graduated in 1954, and a photo of Margaret Wright appears with other Oak Hill students in 1946. The 1940 U.S. Census lists Margaret F. Wright, age 3, living on Libby Road with her parents, Percy and Elinor Wright, and sisters Anna and Mary.
• Sarah Wyman?: The 1940 U.S. Census lists Sarah B. Wyman, age 4, living on Prouts Neck Road (now Black Point Road) with her parents, Clarence and Gladys Wyman, and siblings Elinor, Richard, and Warren.
• If you recognize any of the other children, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.