Untitled (Kennedy's Store) 1839 - 1899

This evocative, yet untitled, photograph of Kennedy's Store comes to us through the anonymous gaze of an early photographer. Preserved in a daguerreotype, a popular process in the mid-19th century, this photograph freezes a moment in time. Look closely, what stories might it tell us about labor and leisure? The figures gathered outside the store and atop the hay wagon, perhaps taking a break from their work. Kennedy's Store would have been a vital hub for commerce and community. Given the time period, we must also consider the larger backdrop of race and class, including who had access to such establishments, and who was excluded. While this image captures a seemingly ordinary scene, it invites us to reflect on the lives of those who lived in this place and time, and the complex social relations that shaped their world. It is a powerful reminder of the stories that can be found in the most unexpected places.