Negro Huts at Wilmington c. 1880

John Mackie Falconer created the etching "Negro Huts at Wilmington." The image provides a glimpse into the lives of African Americans, likely after the Civil War. The huts, though modest, represent home and community. The figures are rendered with a sense of dignity, a departure from stereotypical portrayals of the time. The decision to focus on the domestic sphere can be viewed as a comment on the resilience and humanity of a community rebuilding itself in the face of systemic challenges. The term "Negro Huts" situates the work within a historical context marked by racial segregation and inequality. By using this term, Falconer invites viewers to confront the language and social structures of the past. Despite the title, Falconer's composition resists a purely documentary approach, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of the lives of his subjects. The image remains a poignant reflection on the complexities of race, representation, and the search for belonging in post-Civil War America.