Very odd photo I found among my mother's things

[Momgonepostal]

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

This was found in a box with a lot of other old photos. The back is stamped J.E. Edwards Photographic Parlors, Merced, Cal. There is no date on the photo, but one of the children in the middle is holding a sign that says "76." Could this be some kind of crazy centennial celebration? Another child is holding an American flag. It's not completely visible, so it's tough to tell the number of stars. I don't recognize anyone in the photo, but I do know my mother's grandpa lived in Merced in the 1870's.

[NYC_SKP]

1. I have friends in Merced, you might ask the Merced Museum...

They have a Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/mercedmuseum

I wondered, at first, if it might be the cast from a play or a a party, or Halloween.

Here's a 1916 Halloween group. Kind of creepy.

[Momgonepostal]

4. That's a creepy one!

And that's a good tip about the Merced Museum. If nothing else, I'm sure they'd like to see it.

[No Vested Interest]

5. The Merced Museum, or the public library in Merced should be able to tell you the years

the photographer was in business.
There may even be online lists of early California photographers, or lists by county.

Genealogists frequently wish to date family photos by locating the photographer.

[Momgonepostal]

9. Thank you again for your suggestion

I just sent them a message through their Facebook page, along with the link to the photo. They have a lot of old photography on the site. Hopefully someone will have some thoughts on this...

[NYC_SKP]

10. I hope you'll let me know what you find out!

And if there's anything I can do by dropping by there one day, I'll be happy to.

I drive through Merced from time to time.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I think this is exactly what you think it is: a strange Centenniel celebration.

On the left side, in the back is a man dressed up as possibly a Pilgrim. Next to him is a Revolutionary soldier, I'd guess. Not sure of the significance of the bride? The young boy with the flag might be Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Not sure about the others, though.

It's a cool picture! If you know anyone who teaches history, you might ask them for their input.

Good luck!

[NYC_SKP]

11. What about the two in the center with berets and what look like Tartan scarves?

I'm puzzled by these two!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. There's a reason I didn't mention them! ;)

But my guess is that they celebrate Scottish immigrants. Dunno!

[jaysunb]

3. This looks like some kind

of theater cast.

[Hoppy]

6. I'd vote play, based on centennial.

Yankee Doodle is fine but Yankee Doodle Dandy wasn't around for another 40 years.

[CrispyQ]

7. Great thread!

Kicking for historical fun.

[alfredo]

8. The flag from 1867 to 1877

It could be a pre 1867 flag.

[rdking647]

13. the flag looks like it has 6 rows

the first flag with 6 rows like that was the 48 star flag which makes no sense with a 76 sign

[Major Nikon]

14. The flag looks homeade, and certainly not authentic

It could be 6 rows of 6 which would have been the right number in 1867.

[Solly Mack]

15. Fascinating!