Red River Valley, Minnesota c. 1875

Editor: This stereograph, titled "Red River Valley, Minnesota," is by F. Jay Haynes. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the late 19th century, documenting the arduous work of tilling fields, I wonder what the story behind the image is? Curator: Ah, yes! It reminds me of a sepia-toned dream. Doesn't it feel like we're peering into a distant memory, a whisper of wind across the plains? Haynes, as the "Official Photographer, Northern Pacific Railway," immortalized scenes like these. The repetitive nature of the plowing – the lines, the horses – is almost hypnotic. Editor: Hypnotic, that’s a perfect word. It highlights both the beauty and monotony of the landscape and the labor. I wonder, was he also romanticizing westward expansion? Curator: Maybe! And is that expansion worth it? Think about those unseen figures toiling under that vast, indifferent sky. There is a melancholy to the scene.