General Discussion

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,586 posts) Sat Jun 5, 2021, 07:55 AM Jun 2021

Take a look at what it was like to visit American national parks in the 1950s. Vintage photos.

"Look, honey; they'll just come right up to you."

Take a look at what it was like to visit American national parks in the 1950s. View our full set of vintage photos, courtesy of the U.S.
@NatlParkService
here https://reut.rs/3g8QF65

Link to tweet

PICTURES | WED JUN 2, 2021 | 9:22AM EDT

What it was like to visit American national parks in the 1950s

{snip}

12 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Take a look at what it was like to visit American national parks in the 1950s. Vintage photos. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Jun 2021 OP

" Daddy, can we take him home with us? " 3Hotdogs Jun 2021 #1

Oh! Look at all those white people! Thtwudbeme Jun 2021 #2

Or did photographers avoid them? ShazzieB Jun 2021 #3

Good response- Thtwudbeme Jun 2021 #4

#24 shows native people Major Nikon Jun 2021 #5

My family regularly visited and camped in national parks StarfishSaver Jun 2021 #6

and it's still going on Thtwudbeme Jun 2021 #7

I had the same thought. Luciferous Jun 2021 #8

Why would we avoid photographers? StarfishSaver Jun 2021 #9

These photos are 70 years old Thtwudbeme Jun 2021 #10

I did miss it StarfishSaver Jun 2021 #11

Kick dalton99a Jun 2021 #12

3Hotdogs

(12,402 posts)

1. " Daddy, can we take him home with us? "

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jun 5, 2021, 08:19 AM

Jun 2021

He's by himself and there's nobody to feed him.

Thtwudbeme

(7,737 posts)

2. Oh! Look at all those white people!

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jun 5, 2021, 10:19 AM

Jun 2021

Did people of color not go to parks? Or did they just avoid photographers?

ShazzieB

(16,497 posts)

3. Or did photographers avoid them?

Reply to Thtwudbeme (Reply #2)

Sat Jun 5, 2021, 10:39 AM

Jun 2021

Good questions. I suspect the answer is not a pretty one.

Thtwudbeme

(7,737 posts)

4. Good response-

Reply to ShazzieB (Reply #3)

Sat Jun 5, 2021, 10:45 AM

Jun 2021

and probably the correct one.

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)

5. #24 shows native people

Reply to Thtwudbeme (Reply #2)

Sat Jun 5, 2021, 10:45 AM

Jun 2021

...albeit as performers and not visitors.

I suspect in the 1950's POC were disparately represented in the national parks simply because of less disposable income and demographics and there would have no doubt been institutional racism on behalf of the NPS not wanting to depict POC visitors in their promotional photos.

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)

6. My family regularly visited and camped in national parks

Reply to Thtwudbeme (Reply #2)

Sat Jun 5, 2021, 10:48 AM

Jun 2021

I'm sure lots of Black people did in those days (and still do). But like lots of aspects of American life and culture, the media selectively edited us out of the picture ...

Thtwudbeme

(7,737 posts)

7. and it's still going on

Reply to StarfishSaver (Reply #6)

Sat Jun 5, 2021, 11:13 AM

Jun 2021

I love the National Parks. However, this type of shit chaps my ass.

Everyone should have been represented in their photos.

I am so sorry that we live in such a racist country.

I hope you guys had a good time on your trips- wish you would share some photos!