Housing, Government: United States. Delaware. Wilmington: Governmental Agencies of House Construction. U.S. Shipping Board, Emergency Fleet Corporation c. 1903

Curator: This is an architectural drawing titled "Housing, Government: United States. Delaware. Wilmington" credited to Ballinger and Perrot Architects. It depicts housing intended for the Emergency Fleet Corporation. Editor: It feels so orderly, almost utopian. Look at how the houses are laid out in neat rows, promising stability and community. Curator: Indeed, the imagery here is tied to the U.S. Shipping Board, reflecting a specific moment of government intervention in housing during times of national need. These designs symbolize progress, stability, and an efficient approach to housing. Editor: Yes, the drawing of the four-family house itself is quite telling. The woman, perhaps representing a homemaker, adds a sense of domesticity to the scene. Curator: Exactly. The image promotes the idea of the ideal home provided by the government for its workers, reinforcing a certain social order. Editor: It’s a compelling visual document, reflecting both architectural planning and social engineering. Curator: A powerful reminder of how housing becomes intertwined with political and social ideologies.