Defectives, Feeble-minded: United States. Massachusetts. Waverly. School for Feeble-minded: Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded.: Drawing - Advanced Class. c. 1903

Curator: William A. Webster created "Defectives, Feeble-minded: United States. Massachusetts. Waverly. School for Feeble-minded: Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded.: Drawing - Advanced Class." Editor: It’s a strikingly symmetrical composition, and rather somber given the context. Curator: Indeed. The photograph offers a peek into the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded, a place marked by now-outdated ideas about cognitive ability. Editor: The even lighting emphasizes the uniformity, almost a forced order that permeates the scene. The teacher is isolated to the right, facing away. Curator: The picture serves as a stark reminder of how institutions categorized and treated individuals deemed "feeble-minded" in the early 20th century. It's unsettling to observe how such social structures influenced the lives of the students. Editor: It’s hard to ignore the parallel lines and right angles that dominate the scene, they speak volumes about the constraints imposed. Curator: Understanding the history helps us see the evolution of social and educational norms, even if it's uncomfortable. Editor: Yes, even with its compositional clarity, there is a lingering, disquieting mood.