Races, Negroes: United States. Virginia. Hampton. Hampton Normal and Industrial School: Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Va.: Class of 1906. c. 1903

Editor: So, here's a photograph, probably from 1906, by Frances Benjamin Johnston. It's a class portrait from the Hampton Normal and Industrial School. The formality and the setting are so interesting. What strikes you most about this image? Curator: It's like a tightly composed symphony of faces, isn't it? The light and shadow play across their features, each one a unique story. There's a palpable sense of aspiration and determination in their eyes. What do you think they dreamed of, these young people? Editor: I can only imagine. What do you make of the mix of races in the image? Curator: It adds a complex layer, doesn't it? It speaks to the school’s mission of education and integration. The photograph, in a way, is a hopeful, yet perhaps idealized, vision of a future still being written. Editor: It’s a powerful piece; thanks for sharing your insight. Curator: My pleasure! It makes you wonder about the lives they led, doesn't it?