"There's another Weary Willie," says Mr. MacCurrie. "Weary Willie," ragged, footsore, his dirty overcoat tied in the middle with a rope, shuffles towards the town hall basement in the rear, where he will find shelter for the night. “Certainly a lot of them lately," says Mr. MacCurrie.
Francis Donovan’s interview with Mr. McCurrie, Thomaston Ct., January 24, 1939
Life in Connecticut during the Great Depression, narrated by those in the middle of the struggle, is vividly documented in a new online website. The stories of 261 Connecticans, recorded by writers for the Folklore Project of the Federal writers project during the years of 1936-1940 are part of the Library of Congress’s “American Life Histories” project, on the American Memory Website.
The stories, told by individuals to field workers who then transcribed them into often riveting narratives, reflect the grit, harsh realities, values, and prejudices of a Connecticut vastly different than it is today. These are tales of life in progress – the death of a young man; a trip to a wax museum (The Eden Musee) in New York; a visit by a Yankee peddler, who invites himself to a family’s short-rations dinner.
Project categories covered in these interviews include; Clockmakers Of Thomaston; Living Lore In New England; Religious Life In Bridgeport; Knifemakers Of Thomaston And Northfield; Vita Cacciola, The Italian Cobbler; and People Of Bridgeport.
Collectively, these stories include many accounts of how people made their livings, through occupations such as clockmaking, knifemaking, millworking, firefighting, forestry, and the ministry. There are tales of cobblers, labor disputes (strikes), women in knife manufacturing, unemployment and chain stores. The immigrant experience is well documented, including topics such as nationalities, manners and mores, dialects, and food.
There are interesting accounts of medical treatment including folk medicine, hospital care, and cost of medical care. Sports and recreation is a common topic of discussion, and we frequently are reminded of the importance of pets.
Navigating the Connecticut stories of the American Life History project is a bit cumbersome. The American Memory website, of which this site is a new addition, was one of the the digital pioneers, and so is hampered with poor design and unwieldy navigation. But for those interested in finding a wide open window into the world of Connecticut during the Great Depression, there are few better or more accessible sources.
“’You can't tall by lookin' at a cat's tail how far he'll jump,’ remarks Mr Botsford. We are discussing that innate quality in human nature which enables mankind to rise to heroic heights in the face of emergency.” - Francis Donovan
Friday, April 6, 2007
Depression Era in Connecticut Comes to Life at New Website
