Washington as It Was: Photographs by Theodor Horydczak, 1923-1959

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Go directly to the collection, Washington as It Was: Photographs by Theodor Horydczak, 1923-1959, in American Memory, or view a Summary of Resources related to the collection.

1) Journal

Have students search on particular types of people and professions, such as soldier, office worker, legislator, legislators' spouses, teacher, nurse, and businessman.

After looking carefully at these images and conducting further research, students can create journal entries for these individuals.

Mrs. Goff in Flying Gear in Front of Airplane, ca. 1920-1950

For example, searching on legislators' spouses yields several photographs of Mrs. Goff, including images of her in Flying Gear and a Formal Gown. Students can use these photographs as an impetus for finding out more information, and inventing a journal that details this person's life.

Portrait of Mrs. Goff in Formal Gown, ca. 1920-1950

2) Interview

In 1932, Horydczak photographed veterans of World War I who demonstrated in Washington in hopes of receiving financial assistance from the government. Using the images of these veterans as a starting point, students can write an imaginary interview with these veterans and their responses in regards to this episode in history.

Bonus veterans from Denver, Colorado, ca. 1920-1950

On page two of the Special Presentation Discovering Theodor Horydczak's Washington, students can find a brief overview of the demonstration. Search on bonus veterans for pictures of the veterans' camps and some of their activities.

3) Comparison and Contrast: Classrooms across decades

Students can prepare an exhibition comparing and contrasting instructional methods during the Horydczak years and now. Students might ask these questions:

• What is the same?
• What is different?
• They might consider how they learn in school today: Listening to lectures? Using computer technology? Sitting in rows? Sitting in groups or alone?

Students might write the exhibition text from the point of view of today's student visiting a classroom of yesterday, or vice versa. Search on class, teacher, classroom and home economics to find images of students in school settings.

Students in classroom at Holton Arms School , ca. 1920-1950