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Meet Gwen …
Gwen Tuinman is a novelist, born and raised in rural southern Ontario. Fascinated by the landscape of human tenacity, she tells stories about people navigating the social restrictions of their era. Her storytelling is influenced by an interest in bygone days. Gwen lives in the Kawartha Lakes region with her husband.
Gwen Tuinman 
February 25, 2015 at 11:24 am
…if the clothes I’m wearing right now were made by a child?
February 27, 2015 at 11:05 am
Oh Sally, the same thought has crossed my mind. We do or best to be good citizens of the world but it seems that the more informed we are, the more difficult our choices become. I’m guessing these children grew up far too quickly. I watched a BBC series recently about a cotton mill operation and they talked about the lung ailments suffered from inhaling the loose bits of fluff that floated through the air.
March 16, 2015 at 1:45 am
I was speaking today with a writer friend of mine on some research. He emailed me tonight and told me how much he enjoyed your site and that he expected I would enjoy the historical photography. He was right.
At the one selection of the children photography section, I believe it said, “Photo source -unknown”, if I read it correctly. The photographer is a particular favorite of mine, Lewis W. Hine. He was an extraordinary photographer achieving much fame later in life. He was also a sociologist and an investigative reporter, these photos being part of a two year project undertaken the realities of child labor in America at the request of the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC).
# 1. The first was taken in a looming factory November 1908 in Lincolnton, North Carolina.
#2. The second one is of children oyster shuckers working in the Mid–Ship shrimp canning factory in Dunbar, Louisiana,
#3. The third was taken at Whitnel Cotton Mill, Whitnel, North Carolina I believe. It may however also be the Rhodes Mfg. Co. Lincolnton, North Carolina or the Chace Cotton Mill. Burlington, Vermont. The year probably was 1910 but it was definitely between 1908 – 1912
#4. The last is one of his more famous shots, but can’t place it at the moment.
He was later famous for a number of series, usually workers, his most famous being his pictorial works was the putting up high rises by iron workers on New York’s emerging skyline. Also his series on immigrants landing at Ellis Island as they first arrived in the United States to clear Customs & Immigration.
I have included a link below where you or your visitors can view much of his work, if they have interest. I know it is long.
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https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1920&bih=960&q=lewis+hines&oq=lewis+hines&gs_l=img.3..0l8j0i5j0i24.1521.4920.0.6660.11.8.0.3.3.0.619.1122.7j5-1.8.0.msedr…0…1ac.1.62.img..0.11.1132.u_CHjLIJQ-U#tbm=isch&q=lewis+hine+child+labor+photographs&revid=986094622
So, if I read that part properly, I figured you might want to credit his excellent work I did enjoy your blog,, thank you for sharing it. I look forward to more.
wpcallahan
March 16, 2015 at 11:15 am
Thank-you for the information about these wonderful photographs. The description and context about this famous and important photographer and his work enhance Gwen’s insights. As HF writers, we appreciate the poignancy of these images that so vividly bring to life the people, the times, and the social resonance. Lest we forget the impact a generation may have.
April 5, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Thank you for sharing this wealth of information. I am completely intrigued by Hines’ projects. As it turns out, many of his images are familiar to me. You can feel his compassion through his work. I noted that he had a sociology background and was also a teacher before venturing off on this photo essay for the National Child Labour Committee. He must surely have spent some heart breaking reflection on the situations faced by so many of the children he photographed.
So glad you visited, Bill. Hope to hear from you again.
Gwen
May 29, 2017 at 8:53 am
Just asking what is the young child doing what are the machines are they sewing or am I wrong.
May 30, 2017 at 5:58 pm
In the photos where you see thread spools, the children are working at textile mills making cloth. This industry was damaging to people’s health because of the airborne fibres they inhaled. In the other photo, I’m uncertain as to what they are doing. I was drawn to it because they are shoeless and too short to reach the work surface without standing on a box. Such sad conditions.
May 29, 2017 at 8:54 am
hi