Races, Negroes: United States. Virginia. Hampton. Hampton Normal and Industrial School: Agencies Promoting Assimilation of the Negro. Training for Commercial and Industrial Employment. Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Va.: Tin Smithing. 1899 - 1900

Curator: This is Frances Benjamin Johnston's photograph, "Tin Smithing," taken at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. Notice how Johnston composes the scene. Editor: The room feels so structured and solid, like a stage for these young men. The light from the windows illuminates the students at their tables, making them the focus. Curator: Indeed. The orthogonal lines formed by the tables and the brickwork create a rigid framework. The materiality of the architecture contrasts with the malleability of the metal they’re working. Editor: It's all about industry and assimilation. It makes me reflect on the dreams and constraints of that era, which, perhaps, aren't so different from our own. Curator: A poignant observation. The photograph serves as a document of a specific time while inviting broader reflections on the nature of labor and opportunity. Editor: Yes, a seemingly simple scene layered with complex narratives.