My grandfather Dr. Robert H. Barker had this photograph among his papers. He may have been the photographer. He was an OB/GYN at Boston's Lying-in Hospital, now Brigham and Womens, but those are children in those wheelchairs. In fact, there is great deal I'd like to know about this picture. Perhaps some of you can help.
There are children peering through the hospital gate, and something unusual seems to have attracted the onlookers. The four convalescent children and the two nurses seem lined up in anticipation of something. And who it the man with the curtained handcart out in the street? Puppeteer? Candy man? Organ grinder?
Can any of you car buffs get me an approximate make and year for the vehicles parked on the left side of the street? And is it significant that they are parked as if in a right hand drive country and not Boston? The tree is a broad leaf oak and not an English Oak, but that is all I can deduce about this photograph. Anyone see anything different?
Cousin Bill! Can it really be 19 years since that summer in Seattle? That was a landmark, lifechanging experience for me, exploring the northwest by backpack and thumb, and starting it off with that week together really set the tone. Sturgeon off Astoria... I hope you are well and am glad you have found this blog. Would love to see you. Cousin Tim
Posted by: Tim Abbott | March 30, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Cousin Tim....my guess is a 37 buick. Love the blog
Posted by: Bill Barker | March 30, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I think they are! Looking forward to seeing you both.
Posted by: Tim Abbott | March 27, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Yes, we would love to see you soon. We have lots to catch up on. Maybe the kids are old enough for the walk you describe?
Posted by: Miss Chestnuts | March 27, 2008 at 08:36 AM
All right, what about Children's Hospital, same era? If Mom or any of her sibs are reading this, do you remember where Grandpop did his residency, and whether he had a connection there as well as the Lying-in?
Posted by: Tim Abbott | March 27, 2008 at 08:28 AM
My thanks to you both! We are long overdue for a walk in your woodlands, Miss Chestnuts! Maybe when our long tailed friends are out and about. Please give Edgar our very best.
Posted by: Tim Abbott | March 27, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Edgar's best guess is that the car is a Ford sedan/1935 or 36. The fact that they're parked on the "wrong" side of the street is not significant if the photo is indeed taken in Boston (we park anywhere we can on those cow paths!). Also, my vague recollection is that there were big stone (not brick) gates at the "Lying-in" at an intersection much broader than the street scene shown here. But of course, these brick gates could be anywhere around the vicinity of Mass. General/Children's Hosp.,/Brigham etc.
That doesn't help you much. It sure would be interesting to know the answer to that mystery!
Posted by: Miss Chestnuts | March 27, 2008 at 08:02 AM