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Child Labor

National Child Labor Committee collectionCreated by: PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search EngineDated: 1908
Mildred Benjamin, 17 years old. Right dorsal curvature. Scoliosis. Right shoulder higher than left. Shows incorrect position required to perform this kind of work. Stopping use of right arm. See 4667, 4671 & 4672. Location: Boston, Massachusetts Lewis W. Hine
According to the 1900 US Census, a total of 1,752,187 (about 1 in every 6) children between the ages of five and ten were engaged in "gainful occupations" in the United States.

The National Child Labor Committee, or NCLC, was a private, non-profit organization that served as a leading proponent for the national child labor reform movement. It headquartered on Broadway in Manhattan, New York.

In 1908 the National Child Labor Committee hired Lewis Hine, a teacher and professional photographer trained in sociology, who advocated photography as an educational medium, to document child labor in the American industry. Over the next ten years, Hine would publish thousands of photographs designed to pull at the nation's heartstrings.

The NCLC is a rare example of an organization that succeeded in its mission and was no longer needed. After more than a century of fighting child labor, it shut down in 2017.
4,906 Media in collection ∙ page 1 of 50
Doffers in Trenton Mills, Gastonia, N.C. Others as small and some smaller. Little girls too. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina

Doffers in Trenton Mills, Gastonia, N.C. Others as small and some smal...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 288. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Grace Harper (Looked 10 years old). Works in Lydia Mills, Clinton, S.C. Mother said she is very good hand at spinning. Been at it 3 years. Runs 4 and 5 sides, about 50 cents a day. Little sister Lettie helps. Mother said "she is learnin'." Looked 7 years old. Dec. 208. Witness Sara R. Hine. Location: Clinton, South Carolina Photo by Lewis W. Hine

Grace Harper (Looked 10 years old). Works in Lydia Mills, Clinton, S.C...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Mills. Hine no. 372. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the National ... More

Carrie Blanchard. "Don't know how old I am. Mother can tell. She keeps track of these things. She begins to work in mill tomorrow. 'Speks I'll go to help." (Mother said she was 10 years old). Little sister not at work yet. Witness S.R. Hine. Location: Chester, South Carolina

Carrie Blanchard. "Don't know how old I am. Mother can tell. She keeps...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 365. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

A Group of Young Fellows Working in a Cannery, In Indianapolis, Aug. 1908. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

A Group of Young Fellows Working in a Cannery, In Indianapolis, Aug. 1...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Canneries. Hine no. 86. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divis... More

A Basket Factory. Boys making grate bottoms. In summer, many more young boys and girls. Location: Evansville, Indiana

A Basket Factory. Boys making grate bottoms. In summer, many more youn...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 221. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

Drivers and Trappers Going Home: Barnesville Mine. Location: Fairmont, West Virginia

Drivers and Trappers Going Home: Barnesville Mine. Location: Fairmont,...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Coal mines. Hine no. 190. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Div... More

Lincoln Cotton Mills, Evansville, Ind. Girls at weaving machine; warpers. Location: Evansville, Indiana

Lincoln Cotton Mills, Evansville, Ind. Girls at weaving machine; warpe...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 220. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Closing hour Loray Mill, Gastonia, N.C. November 7, 1908. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Photo by Lewis W. Hine

Closing hour Loray Mill, Gastonia, N.C. November 7, 1908. Location: Ga...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Mills. Hine no. 257. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the National ... More

Midnight 4, 11,08. Messenger Boys in heart of Tenderloin. Youngest - Badge No. 524. Herman Unslowitz, Said 15 yrs. old. Oldest Badge 605. From Western Union Telegraph Office, 172 Fifth Avenue. Location: New York, New York (State)

Midnight 4, 11,08. Messenger Boys in heart of Tenderloin. Youngest - B...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 39-A. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Widow & boy rolling papers for cigarettes in a dirty N.Y. tenement. Location: New York, New York (State)

Widow & boy rolling papers for cigarettes in a dirty N.Y. tenement. Lo...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. Hine no. 15-B. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General inform... More

Group of sweatshop workers in shop of M. Silverman. 30 Suffolk St., N.Y. Feb. 21, 1908. Location: New York, New York (State)

Group of sweatshop workers in shop of M. Silverman. 30 Suffolk St., N....

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 27-A. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Noon hour. Goodall Worsted Co., Sanford, Me. These are not the youngest. Young girls too. Location: Sanford, Maine

Noon hour. Goodall Worsted Co., Sanford, Me. These are not the younges...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 704. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Atherton Mill, Charlotte, N.C. National Child Labor Committee. No. 469. Smaller girl been in mill for 5 years. Works now in the mill. Jan. 1, 1909. Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Atherton Mill, Charlotte, N.C. National Child Labor Committee. No. 469...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 469. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

A few of the youngsters in the Manchester Cotton Mills, Macon, Ga. I was not allowed to go inside. See photos 517 to 520. Location: Macon, Georgia

A few of the youngsters in the Manchester Cotton Mills, Macon, Ga. I w...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 518. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Slebzak family (Polish) working on Bottomley farm, near Baltimore, Md. They have worked here 3 years and one winter at Avery Island, Louisiana. All work except the very smallest. She hangs around the fields. Begin work about 4 A.M. and sometimes works until sunset. (See #838.) Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Slebzak family (Polish) working on Bottomley farm, near Baltimore, Md....

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 837. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Di... More

A Rarniriz Cigar Co., Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Location: Tampa, Florida

A Rarniriz Cigar Co., Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Location: Tampa, Florida

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 579. City and state recorded twice in the original caption. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee c... More

United Workers Boy's Club, New Haven, Conn. In the gymnasium. Location: New Haven, Connecticut

United Workers Boy's Club, New Haven, Conn. In the gymnasium. Location...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 615. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

Some of Newark's small newsboys. Afternoon. Location: Newark, New Jersey

Some of Newark's small newsboys. Afternoon. Location: Newark, New Jers...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 1035. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Kibbe's Candy Factory. Isaac Futterman, 15 years, 108 Sharon St. Jacob Futterman, 16 years, 108 Sharon St. William Cohan, 16 years, 102 Washburn St. Cocoanut Shavers at Kibbe's. The Futterman boys had been at work one year. Isaac earned $3.50; Jacob - $4.00. Location: Springfield, Massachusetts

Kibbe's Candy Factory. Isaac Futterman, 15 years, 108 Sharon St. Jacob...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 1195. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Burley's Branch Office, 23rd St. near Olive. Wednesday May 4th, 1910. 3:30 P.M. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Burley's Branch Office, 23rd St. near Olive. Wednesday May 4th, 1910. ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 1366. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Little Nettie ?, a regular oyster-shucker in Alabama Canning Co. She speaks no English. Note the condition of her shoes, caused by standing on the rough shells so much, a common sight. Location: Bayou La Batre, Alabama

Little Nettie ?, a regular oyster-shucker in Alabama Canning Co. She s...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Canneries. Hine no. 1988. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Div... More

Two families working together on Kimball farm near Waxahachie. The four year old picks nine pounds a day regularly and the eleven year old picks three hundred pounds a day. Location: Waxahachie vicinity, Texas

Two families working together on Kimball farm near Waxahachie. The fou...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 3678. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs D... More

Group of children in the kindergarten school composed of the cotton mill people. Even during the play the mill is ever in the background. Dallas Cotton Mill. Location: Dallas, Texas

Group of children in the kindergarten school composed of the cotton mi...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 3602. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

Three Saunders children, nine, eleven, and thirteen years old, mowing away the grain. See Hine Report, Rural Child Labor, August 1915

Three Saunders children, nine, eleven, and thirteen years old, mowing ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 3990. No location recorded on caption card. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library... More

Vera Hill, 5 years old picks 25 pounds a day. See 4580. Location: Comanche County, Oklahoma Lewis W. Hine

Vera Hill, 5 years old picks 25 pounds a day. See 4580. Location: Coma...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 4581. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the Na... More

14-year-old boy hauling water on farm near Lawton. Francis Heinz, Route B, Box 11. Location: Lawton, Oklahoma Lewis W. Hine

14-year-old boy hauling water on farm near Lawton. Francis Heinz, Rout...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 4806. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the Na... More

6:00 A.M. at Post Office Square. Truck load of tobacco workers bound for American Sumatra Tobacco Farm, South Windsor. They return about 7 P.M. Location: Hartford, Connecticut L.W. Hine

6:00 A.M. at Post Office Square. Truck load of tobacco workers bound f...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 4893. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the Na... More

Blind beggar. Location: Lawton, Oklahoma. L.W. Hine

Blind beggar. Location: Lawton, Oklahoma. L.W. Hine

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 4786. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the ... More

Going to the 4 H Fair at Charleston. Location: Charleston vicinity, West Virginia Photo by Lewis W. Hine

Going to the 4 H Fair at Charleston. Location: Charleston vicinity, We...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Children in West Virginia. Hine no. 5087. Number typed in upper left corner of caption card: 67. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congre... More

Homework pictures taken in connection with investigation (see report TE-NY-39). Location: New York, New York (State)

Homework pictures taken in connection with investigation (see report T...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Tenement homework. Hine no. 4919. Recorded on a single caption card spanning 4919-4931. Credit line: National Child Labor Committ... More

Little spinner in Bibb Mill No. 1, Macon, Ga. She was so small she had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads. See also photo 488. Jan. 19, 1909. Location: Macon, Georgia

Little spinner in Bibb Mill No. 1, Macon, Ga. She was so small she had...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 530. The words "climb up" are underlined on the caption card. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collect... More

Interior of Magnolia (Miss.) Cotton Mills spinning room. See the little ones scattered through the mill. All work. See also other Magnolia photos and labels. Location: Magnolia, Mississippi

Interior of Magnolia (Miss.) Cotton Mills spinning room. See the littl...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 1492. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

"Dinner-Toters" waiting for the gate to open. This is carried on more in Columbus than in any other city I know, and by smaller children. (See photos.) Many of them are paid by the week for doing it, and carry, sometimes, ren i.e., ten or more a day. They go around in the mill, often help tend to machines, which often run at noon, and so learn the work. A teacher told me the mothers expect the children to learn this way, long before they are of proper age. (See also Vaughn's Georgia Report, April, 1913.) Eagle and Phoenix Mill. Location: Columbus, Georgia

"Dinner-Toters" waiting for the gate to open. This is carried on more ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 3457. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

Spinner in Lancaster Cotton Mills, S.C. Location: Lancaster, South Carolina

Spinner in Lancaster Cotton Mills, S.C. Location: Lancaster, South Car...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 344. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

1 P.M. Family of Onofrio Cottone, 7 Extra Pl., N.Y., finishing garments in a terribly run down tenement. The father works on the street. The three oldest children help the mother on garments. Joseph, 14, Andrew, 10, Rosie, 7, and all together they make about $2 a week when work is plenty. There are two babies. Location: New York, New York (State)

1 P.M. Family of Onofrio Cottone, 7 Extra Pl., N.Y., finishing garment...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Tenement homework. Hine no. 3255. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photogr... More

Some operatives in An Indianapolis Cotton Mill at the Noon Hour. Aug. 1908. Wit. E.N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by ...

Some operatives in An Indianapolis Cotton Mill at the Noon Hour. Aug. ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 9. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. ... More

Newberry Mills (S.C.) Noon hour. All are working here. Witness, Sara R. Hine. Location: Newberry, South Carolina

Newberry Mills (S.C.) Noon hour. All are working here. Witness, Sara R...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 383. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

This was the smallest I could find in the Newton (N.C.) Cotton Mills. Overseer said "She just brings her sister's dinner," but as it was only 9:30 A.M., and as she worked as faithfully as her sister all the time I was in the mill, I judged she was a regular "helper." She looked to be 8 years old. Others there nearly as small. Location: Newton, North Carolina

This was the smallest I could find in the Newton (N.C.) Cotton Mills. ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 451. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Working Boys of all Nationalities Making the Best of the Spare Evening Hours. Boston 1915 Exhibit. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Working Boys of all Nationalities Making the Best of the Spare Evening...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 885. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

A group of workers in Jonas Glass Works, Minotola, N.J. These are typical of conditions in Southern N.J. although one finds, occasionally, a few younger workers. Location: Minotola, New Jersey

A group of workers in Jonas Glass Works, Minotola, N.J. These are typi...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Glass factories. Hine no. 955. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph... More

A group of girl workers in Greenabaum's Canneries, Seaford, Del. These girls gave their ages as 10, 13 and 13. The 10 year old girl is working her first season while the two girls of 13 are working 2nd season. They work from 7 A.M. to 6 P.M., and when there is a good supply of peas they work until late at night. Location: Seaford, Delaware

A group of girl workers in Greenabaum's Canneries, Seaford, Del. These...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Canneries. Hine no. 1599. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Div... More

Arthur H. Toody, 536 Market St. Newsboy, 8 years of age. Selling papers 1 years sic Average earnings 20 cents per week. Selling newspapers own choice. Earnings not needed at home. Don't smoke. Visits saloons. Works 5 hours per day. Wants money for moving picture. May, 1910. Investigator, Edward F. Brown. Location: Wilmington, Delaware Photo by Lewis W. Hine

Arthur H. Toody, 536 Market St. Newsboy, 8 years of age. Selling paper...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 1527. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the ... More

Two of the young boys working in Richmond Hosiery Mills. (See report). Location: Rossville, Georgia

Two of the young boys working in Richmond Hosiery Mills. (See report)....

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 1863. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

After midnight April 17, 1912 G St., near 14th, these three boys 10 yrs, 11 yrs. and 12 yrs. old, were stuck with over 50 papers on their hands, and vowed they would stay until they sold out if it took all night. The oldest said, "my mother makes me sell." Lawrence Lee (10 yrs.) 912--26th St., N.W., Michael, Niland (11 yrs.) 930--26th St., N.W., Martin Garvin (12 yrs.) 928--26th St., N.W. Location: Washington (D.C.), District of Columbia

After midnight April 17, 1912 G St., near 14th, these three boys 10 yr...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 2941. No location recorded on caption card; probably Washington, D.C., based on content and captions for ... More

Man carrying load of caps made at home to factory, 9-11 University Place, --- Feldstein's. Location: New York, New York (State)

Man carrying load of caps made at home to factory, 9-11 University Pla...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Tenement homework. Hine no. 2863. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photogr... More

Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C.

Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C.

A sign that says do the poor need their children help?, Library of Congress Harris and Ewing collection Portraits and news photographs by Washington, D.C.-based firm, showing people, events, architecture in Wa... More

Fifteen year old delivery boy for Linders Drug Store, which is located on the edge of the Reservation, Griffin Street. The boy has just returned from a trip to these Houses. He works from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. (See Hine Report on Messengers, Texas.) Location: Dallas, Texas

Fifteen year old delivery boy for Linders Drug Store, which is located...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 3620. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Colored School at Anthoston. Census 27, enrollment 12, attendance 7. Teacher expects 19 to be enrolled after work is over. "Tobacco keeps them out and they are short of hands." Ages of those present: 13 years = 1, 10 years = 2, 8 years = 2, 7 years = 1, 5 years = 1. Location: Henderson County, Kentucky Lewis W. Hine

Colored School at Anthoston. Census 27, enrollment 12, attendance 7. T...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 4480. "Div. 4" recorded on caption card as part of the geographic location; probably refers to a school district. Credit line: National Child Labor ... More

James Donovan - Irish Sweeper in Fall River Iron Works. Said he was 17 years. Location: Fall River, Massachusetts Lewis W. Hine

James Donovan - Irish Sweeper in Fall River Iron Works. Said he was 17...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 4232. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the ... More

Colored School at Anthoston. Census 27, enrollment 12, Attendance 7. Teacher expects 19 to be enrolled after work is over. "Tobacco keeps them out and they are short of hands." Ages of those present: 13 years = 1, 10 years = 2, 8 years = 2, 7 years = 1, 5 years = 1. Location: Henderson County, Kentucky Lewis W. Hine

Colored School at Anthoston. Census 27, enrollment 12, Attendance 7. T...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 4479. "Div. 4" recorded on caption card as part of the geographic location; probably refers to a school district. Credit line: National Child Labor ... More

12-year old boy carrying heavy crate of tomatoes on farm of W.T. Hill. He has been earning $1.25 a day steady all Summer. Location: Cabool, Missouri Lewis W. Hine

12-year old boy carrying heavy crate of tomatoes on farm of W.T. Hill....

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 4547. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the Na... More

Lemon boy. Market. Location: Boston, Massachusetts Lewis W. Hine

Lemon boy. Market. Location: Boston, Massachusetts Lewis W. Hine

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 4684. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the ... More

Teaching a deaf-mute to talk. Training School for Deaf Mutes. See 4843-4851. Location: Sulphur, Oklahoma. Lewis W. Hine

Teaching a deaf-mute to talk. Training School for Deaf Mutes. See 4843...

In album: Miscellaneous. Title from NCLC caption card for Hine no. 4845. Hine no. 4846. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General info... More

Harry Harper, one of the 4 H Club boys with his registered calf. Location: Pocahontas County--Hillsboro, West Virginia Photo by Lewis W. Hine

Harry Harper, one of the 4 H Club boys with his registered calf. Locat...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Children in West Virginia. Hine no. 5110. Number typed in upper left corner of caption card: 90. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congre... More

Tersea ------ carrying peck of cranberries (weighing about 15 pounds) long distance to "bushel man." Did not know age. Forsythe's Bog, Turkeytown, near Pemberton, N.J. Sept. 29, 1910 Witness E.F. Brown. Location: Pemberton, New Jersey Photo by Lewis W. Hine

Tersea ------ carrying peck of cranberries (weighing about 15 pounds) ...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 1149. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the Na... More

Newspaper comments on new child labor law in Penn. Location: Pennsylvania

Newspaper comments on new child labor law in Penn. Location: Pennsylva...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 1199. Text cut off, probably "Photo by Lewis W. Hine." Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collec... More

The road to dividends - Drawing. Public domain image.

The road to dividends - Drawing. Public domain image.

Cartoon shows poor child carrying a heavy load followed by wealthy industrialists with mills in the background. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. Annotation: "And a little child shall lead him new ass... More

488 Macon, Ga. Lewis W. Hine 1-19-1909. Bibb Mill No. 1 Many youngsters here. Some boys were so small they had to climb up on the spinning frame to mend the broken threads and put back the empty bobbins. Location: Macon, Georgia

488 Macon, Ga. Lewis W. Hine 1-19-1909. Bibb Mill No. 1 Many youngster...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 488. Reproduction no. LC-USZ6-1222. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, ... More

Scene in More-Jonas Glass Co., Bridgeton, N.J. Several young boys are to be seen in photo. Location: Bridgeton, New Jersey

Scene in More-Jonas Glass Co., Bridgeton, N.J. Several young boys are ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Glass factories. Hine no. 980. Caption card for #980 contains place, date, and negative number, but no caption. Title based on ca... More

Hard work and dangerous for such a young boy. James O'Dell, a greaser and coupler on the tipple of the Cross Mountain Mine, Knoxville Iron Co., in the vicinity of Coal Creek, Tenn. James has been there four months. Helps push these heavily loaded cars. Appears to be about 12 or 13 years old. Location: Coal Creek, Tennessee

Hard work and dangerous for such a young boy. James O'Dell, a greaser ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Coal mines. Hine no. 1917. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Di... More

Mule power and motor power. A Young Driver, Shaft #6, Pennsylvania Coal Company. Location: Pittston, Pennsylvania

Mule power and motor power. A Young Driver, Shaft #6, Pennsylvania Coa...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Coal mines. Hine no. 1924. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Di... More

Back boy - Mule room - 14 years. Berkshire Cotton Mills. Location: Adams, Massachusetts Lewis W. Hine

Back boy - Mule room - 14 years. Berkshire Cotton Mills. Location: Ada...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Mills. Hine no. 4383. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the National... More

Noon Hour at an Indianapolis Meat Packing House. Aug. 1908. Wit. E.N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Noon Hour at an Indianapolis Meat Packing House. Aug. 1908. Wit. E.N. ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 108. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

One of The Newsies at The Newsboys' Picnic, Cincinnati. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

One of The Newsies at The Newsboys' Picnic, Cincinnati. Location: Cinc...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 28. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs D... More

Hot Weather Delights, Newsboys' Protective Association, Cincinnati. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Hot Weather Delights, Newsboys' Protective Association, Cincinnati. Lo...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 22. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs D... More

Clyde Cotton Mills, Newton, N.C. Doffers in the above mill. 50 operatives, 10 of them small boys and girls like these. Location: Newton, North Carolina

Clyde Cotton Mills, Newton, N.C. Doffers in the above mill. 50 operati...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 454. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

A doffer in the Melville Mfg. Co., Cherryville, N.C. Location: Cherryville, North Carolina

A doffer in the Melville Mfg. Co., Cherryville, N.C. Location: Cherryv...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 269. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Mrs. Finkelstein, 127 Monroe St. Bessie (age 13), Sophie (age 7). Girls attend school. Making garters for Liberty Garter works, 413 Broadway. Mother, a widow, earns 75 cents a day by working all day until 12 at night. Bessie works until 10 P.M. Sophie until 9 P.M. They expected to work until 10 P.M. to finish the job, although they did not know when more work would come in. Witness Mrs. Hosford. Location: New York, New York (State)

Mrs. Finkelstein, 127 Monroe St. Bessie (age 13), Sophie (age 7). Girl...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. Hine no. 10-A. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General inform... More

Sack Race, the Newsboys' Picnic. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Sack Race, the Newsboys' Picnic. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 20. After the word "Picnic" text is cut off on caption card. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee ... More

Boys taking away from saws and brading. Schultze, Waltman & Co. Planing Mill Evansville, Ind. Location: Evansville, Indiana

Boys taking away from saws and brading. Schultze, Waltman & Co. Planin...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 194. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

Glass works. Location: West Virginia

Glass works. Location: West Virginia

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Glass factories. Hine no. 180. No city recorded on caption card. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library ... More

A group of people standing in front of a brick building Noon hour, King Mfg. Co., Augusta, Ga. We had not seen these children when we were shown through the mill. See photos 500 to 509. Jan. 14, 1909. Location: Augusta, Georgia

A group of people standing in front of a brick building Noon hour, Kin...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 501. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Night shift going work. N.J. Nov. 15, 1909. Cumberland Glass Works. Location: Bridgeton, New Jersey

Night shift going work. N.J. Nov. 15, 1909. Cumberland Glass Works. Lo...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Glass factories. Hine no. 969. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph... More

A Typical Errand Boy Minding Another Boy's Business. Boston 1915 Exhibit. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

A Typical Errand Boy Minding Another Boy's Business. Boston 1915 Exhib...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 940. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

John Bryan, a young turner in London i.e., Loudon? Hosiery Mills. Location: Loudon, Tennessee

John Bryan, a young turner in London i.e., Loudon? Hosiery Mills. Loca...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 1889. There is both a Loudon and a London, Tennessee. UMBC records similar photos as "Loudon," however. Credit li... More

Some of the workers in Munford Cotton Mills. Smallest boy, in middle, a frail anaemic youngster, said he had been doffing over a year. Said he was twelve, but I doubt it. Other small boy, on left, spinner, runs four sides, been working there two years. Location: Munford, Alabama

Some of the workers in Munford Cotton Mills. Smallest boy, in middle, ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 1794. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

Francis Lance, 5 years old, 41 inches high. Sells regularly on Grand Avenue. He jumps on and off moving cars at risk of life. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Francis Lance, 5 years old, 41 inches high. Sells regularly on Grand A...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 1394. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Ethel Shumate (see photo 2190). Has been rolling cigarettes in Danville (Virginia) Factory for six months. Lives, 614 Upper Street. Said she was thirteen years old, but it is doubtful. Location: Danville, Virginia

Ethel Shumate (see photo 2190). Has been rolling cigarettes in Danvill...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 2192. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Smallest boy is Dorris Fabanks?, been working in Yocona Mill, Water Valley Miss., one year. Larger boy (brother) been there six years. Housing conditions bad. Location: Water Valley, Mississippi

Smallest boy is Dorris Fabanks?, been working in Yocona Mill, Water Va...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 2118. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

Robert Magee (smallest). 270 Suffolk St., Apparently 12 years old Been working in Mule Room #1, Merrimac Mill, Lowell, 1 year. Michael Keefe (next in size), 32 Marion St., been working in #1 Mule Room, Merrimac Mill, Lowell, for 8 months, about 13 or 14. Cornelius Hurley, 298 Adams St., been at work in #1 Mule Room, Merimac Mill, Lowell, for 6 months, about 13 or 14. Location: South Framingham, Massachusetts

Robert Magee (smallest). 270 Suffolk St., Apparently 12 years old Been...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 2618. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

Little girl, apparently 6 yrs. old - but didn't know her name or age - tending stand at Washington and 3rd St. for older sister (#3234). Saloon on corner. 3 P.M. Location: Hoboken, New Jersey

Little girl, apparently 6 yrs. old - but didn't know her name or age -...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 3235. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

Tending the chicks--16-year old girl. Home of William Olliges. The children go to Parochial School. Location: Hardin County--Stithton, Kentucky Lewis W. Hine

Tending the chicks--16-year old girl. Home of William Olliges. The chi...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Agriculture. Hine no. 4520. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the Na... More

Part of the Merchants Mill. One section built in 1867 and one in 1871. Most of the windows closed even in mid-June. Location: Fall River, Massachusetts Lewis W. Hine

Part of the Merchants Mill. One section built in 1867 and one in 1871....

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Mills. Hine no. 4285. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the National... More

75 Sixth Grade children (colored) crowded into 1 small room in an old store building near Negro High School, with 1 teacher. Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Lewis W. Hine

75 Sixth Grade children (colored) crowded into 1 small room in an old ...

In album: Agriculture. Title from NCLC caption card for Hine no. 4772. Hine no. 4773. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General inform... More

Incorrect sitting position for postural deformity and dorsal curvature cases. Scoliosis. Stooping, lopsided or humped over position. Work in this position is harmful. Need for advice of examining physician. Location: Boston, Massachusetts Lewis W. Hine

Incorrect sitting position for postural deformity and dorsal curvature...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 4673. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. General information about the ... More

The Mullens children (& some neighbors) ready for school. See Photo No. 81. Location: Charleston vicinity, West Virginia Photo by Lewis W. Hine

The Mullens children (& some neighbors) ready for school. See Photo No...

Title from NCLC caption card. In album: Children in West Virginia. Hine no. 5102. Number typed in upper left corner of caption card: 82. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congre... More

Accident to young mill worker. Giles Edmund Newsom (Photo October 23rd, 1912) while working in Sanders Spinning Mille i.e., Mill, Bessemer City, N.C., August 21st, 1912, a piece of the machine fell on to his foot mashing his toe. This caused him to fall on to a spinning machine and his hand went into unprotected gearing, crushing and tearing out two fingers. He told the Attorney he was 11 years old when it happened. His parents are now trying to make him 13 years old. The school census taken at the time of the accident makes him12 years old (parents' statement) and school records say the same. His school teacher thinks he is 12. His brother (see photo 3071) is not yet 11 years old. Both of the boys worked in the mill several months before the accident. His father, (R.L. Newsom) tried to compromise with the Company when he found the boy would receive the money and not the parents. The mother tried to blame the boys for getting jobs on their own hook, but she let them work several months. The aunt said "Now he's jes got to where he could be of some help to his ma an' then this happens and he can't never work no more like he oughter." Location: Bessemer City, North Carolina

Accident to young mill worker. Giles Edmund Newsom (Photo October 23rd...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 3112. In phrase "when he found the boy," the word boy is underlined on the caption card. Credit line: National Ch... More

Roland, eleven year old negro newsboy, Newark, N.J. - August 1st, 1924. Location: Newark, New Jersey

Roland, eleven year old negro newsboy, Newark, N.J. - August 1st, 1924...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 4945. "114" recorded in pencil in lower right of caption card. Credit line: National Child Labor Committe... More

A little spinner in Globe Cotton Mill. Augusta, Ga. The overseer admitted she was regularly employed. Location: Augusta, Georgia

A little spinner in Globe Cotton Mill. Augusta, Ga. The overseer admit...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 490. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

Hyman, six year old newsie. Another six year old newsie said he sold until 6 P.M. Location: Lawrence, Massachusetts

Hyman, six year old newsie. Another six year old newsie said he sold u...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 2468. Also in LOT 7480, v. 2. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress... More

8,9 and 10 years old starting out at 6 A.M. Sunday. Caption #602: "6:00 A.M. Sunday, March 7, 1909. Boys starting out with Sunday papers. Some were only 8 and 9 years old. Many more youngsters start out at 7 A.M. Some of these little fellows had been selling until 7 and 8 P.M. and later Saturday night."Caption #663: "Hartford, Conn. 6 A.M. Sunday.". Location: Hartford, Connecticut. Photo by ...

8,9 and 10 years old starting out at 6 A.M. Sunday. Caption #602: "6:0...

Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Title from photo and label for Hine no. 602 and 663. Hine no. 664. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, ... More

In the spool cotton dept. Bibb Mfg. Co., No. 1, Macon, Ga. Jan. 19, 1909. L.W.H. Location: Macon, Georgia

In the spool cotton dept. Bibb Mfg. Co., No. 1, Macon, Ga. Jan. 19, 19...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 524. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division... More

9:00 P.M. March 4, 1909. Hartford, Conn. Group of newsies still selling although it was bitter cold and blizzardy. Smallest chap was 8 years old. The boys said he has been selling for 3 years. Boy next him (and) has been selling 4 years (called Bologna). Location: Hartford, Connecticut

9:00 P.M. March 4, 1909. Hartford, Conn. Group of newsies still sellin...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Street trades. Hine no. 600. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

These boys were surely under 14. Cigarmakers in Englehardt Co., Tampa, Fla. See photo 564. Location: Tampa, Florida

These boys were surely under 14. Cigarmakers in Englehardt Co., Tampa,...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 565. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs ... More

Noon, May 12th, 1910. Girls working in Inland Type Foundry, 9 to 10 hours a day. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Noon, May 12th, 1910. Girls working in Inland Type Foundry, 9 to 10 ho...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 1429. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

All of these are workers in the Stearns Silk Factory, Petersburg, Virginia Not all of the youngsters would get into the photo. I went through the factory during working hours and saw many others like these. A neighbor's testimony corroborated the foregoing. Noon hour. Location: Petersburg, Virginia

All of these are workers in the Stearns Silk Factory, Petersburg, Virg...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 2222. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs... More

All these, including boys in middle and left end of photo, work underground in the Bliss Colliery of the D.L.&W., near Nanticoke, Pennsylvania Location: Nanticoke vicinity, Pennsylvania

All these, including boys in middle and left end of photo, work underg...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Coal mines. Hine no. 1936. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Di... More

Gold Day! Young workers running to work at close of noon hour at New Bedford Mill. Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts

Gold Day! Young workers running to work at close of noon hour at New B...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 2729. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

The medicine bottle - National child labor committee

The medicine bottle - National child labor committee

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Miscellaneous. Hine no. 3264. No state, location or date recorded on caption card. Date based on captions for photos with neighbo... More

Some of the youngsters working in Belton Mfg. Co., Belton S.C. Two of the youngest and J. Henderson, Kelly Street. Percy Morrison, Eugene Simper. Location: Belton, South Carolina

Some of the youngsters working in Belton Mfg. Co., Belton S.C. Two of ...

Title from NCLC caption card. Attribution to Hine based on provenance. In album: Mills. Hine no. 3015. Credit line: National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Divisio... More

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