Public School c. 1900

Agnes Winterbottom Cooney created this cyanotype, "Public School," sometime in the early 20th century. The image is more than just a depiction of a building; it's a window into the values and aspirations of a society. Made in America during a time of rapid social and economic change, the photograph suggests the central importance given to education. Public schools were seen as key to social mobility. But who had access to these institutions? And what was the quality of education they offered? Cooney’s image prompts us to consider the social and political context of education at the time: segregation, unequal funding, and differing curricula. The very act of photographing this school also speaks to the growing importance of visual media. Photographs, like this one, played a role in shaping public opinion about important institutions. To fully understand this artwork, we need to delve into the archives, explore educational policies of the era, and consider the biographies of those who attended such schools.