Worshipful and Impressive

Postmarked 19 January 1949
Norfolk, Virginia

Postcard Caption:

Organized in 1929 with one hundred and thirty-eight charter members. It is a branch of the old Suffolk Baptist Church. The church is located in a fine residential section of Suffolk on the beautiful site of the old Gum property. The present building was erected in 1938 at a cost of over $60,000. (Plans are drawn for the erection of a corresponding educational building.) The architecture is colonial. Chimes from a melodious 21-stop Austin organ are broadcast from the stately spire. The Auditorium is worshipful and impressive. A memorial window of exquisite colors with a pictorial representation of Christ as the Good Shepard serves at the focus of worship.

Message:

This is a very pretty church. S is an old town something like Haddonfield-very interesting. Lots of lovely antiques. I'm enjoying my friends and their interest in C.S. Hope all you are fine. Love, Mamoine / Jan 19, 1949

She Must Have Had Very Little Modesty

Postmarked 20 July 1948
Hopewell, Virginia

Postcard Caption:

Pocahontas Basin, Located in Central Park, Peersburg, Va. / A traditional historic shrine located in Central Park, Pocahontas is said to have used this basin for bathing.

Postcard Message:

Hi 10 yr old - almost a grandma - an old lady! How'd you like to take a bath like Pocahontas? She must have had very little modesty, since the "tub" in in the middle of a park. It looks like a whip-pow-will sitting on her nest to me. GUESS HOO! (I set Initials - bet you can't find 'em - look under things.)

George Washington Slept Here, but that Was Before the Town Got so Noisy!

Postmarked 17 June 1948
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

Salem Tavern, in which Geo. Washington Sepnt Two Nights in June, 1791, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Message:

Front: George Washington slept here but that was before the town got so noisy!
Back: Hi Mibby T- We have a hummingbird's nest, Pete lets flying squirrels run up his britches leg, and we've found a swimming hole in a creek within walking distance of the house. Dewberries, blackberries are ripe, also plums and wild cherries and a few huckleberries. Tell Dick to come down and we'll let him fall in our creek. Did you two get promoted? And where is this camp that M.T. is going to? If you want any postcards, you'd better send me the address. Sis can go down stairs now without help. Also loves the creek, goes into the refrigerator, and helps self to bottle and (believe it or not) lemons! She's a big girl, now 13 mos. From Guess Hoo!

According to the Salem-Tavern Museum website, George Washington spent two nights in the Salem Tavern during a tour of Revolutionary War battle sites. While in the vicinity, he attended a service, spoke to people of the town, and studied the waterworks system. In 1791, when George Washington stayed in the tavern, the enterprise owned an African-American slave family.

I've Been Where These Are

Postmarked 25 April 1946
Charlotte, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

The Hub - showing Boston's historic landmarks. The State House, Capitol of Massachusetts on Beacon Hill. / Bunker Hill Monument in honor of the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775 on Breed's Hill, Charlestown. / Faneuil Hall, the "Cradle of Liberty" where pre-revolutionary movements were held. / Old State House where John Hancock, first Massachusetts governor, was inaugurated. / Old North Church, where Paul Revere's signal lanterns hung on the night of April 18, 1775.

Postcard Message:

Hello fellaw - I've been where these are. Was fun. See you sometime. /Sue 

The historic landmarks are now a part of Boston's Freedom Trail. 

One of the Famous Institutions of Boston

Postmarked 24 July 1948

Boston, Massachusetts

Postcard Caption:

ROSE GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN THE FENWAY, BOSTON, MASS. / MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS was founded in 1870 and has grown to be one of the great museum of the world and is supported by the generosity of its friends and by private subscriptions. Admission is free to all. It is one of the famous institutions of Boston.

Postcard Message:

On my way now to this place of interest. So much to see May have to come again to see it all. I have a very pleasant place to stay Symphony Hall and Faneuil Hall and C.S. buildings near. Wish you could share sights with me. Cool this a.m. I thank you for all you did to help have such a good visit with Turners. / Love, / Mamamie / July 24, 1948

We love visiting the Museum of Fine Arts when we go to Boston. Here's our first trip, in 2010:

This is the interior, with a new Chihuly sculpture, in 2012:

The museum is no longer free, as it was in the 1940s, but seeing the wonderful pieces of art there is worth the price of admission.

Yards and Gardens Grow Like Magic

Postmarked 13 May 1943
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

Masonic Temple, Enfield, North Carolina

Postcard Message:

Sunny Boy! I received the beautiful Mothers day greeting from you and Milbrey. Thank you my dears! Mon a.m. I also had letter from my very dear boy, too. Has been so dry but several good showers lately which makes yards and gardens grow like magic. do you have some pretty flowers in your yard? Mrs. -- --- me gorgeous bouquets Sat and Tues and I'm trying to paint a picture of the copper luster iris. best love and all good wishes to my dear children - Mamomie - May 13, 1943 

Ground broke for Enfield's Masonic Temple in 1924, and the building was dedicated the following year. From its opening to World War II, the building served as a theater. During the war, it was closed, and in the 1950s, reopened as Ray Theatre. From the 1960s to 1980s, the building was used in part for storage while its upstairs continued to house masonic meetings and other business. In 2009, the building was purchased and is now operated by Glass Bead Productions. They plan to renovate the lodge so it can be used for productions, presentations, and other events.

The Lodge at Roanoke Valley website

A Bee Stung Jim

Postmarked 6 April 1946
Charlotte, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

View of Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. / Tremont Street, one of the main thoroughfares of Boston, is both picturesque and historic with the beautiful Boston Commons, Kings Chapel and Old Park Street Church.

Postcard Message:

Dear Mib - / A bee stung Jim yesterday, and he looks like this now. We have to laugh every time we look a hi - he doesn't think it's funny though. / Love - / Sue

I Saw Cowboys on Horses

Postmarked 17 December 1945
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Postcard Message:

Dear Milbrey / We are having a good time. I saw big mountains covered with snow and ice. I saw cowboys on horses. Love / Alan

World's Largest and Friendliest Hotel

Postmarked 9 October 1950
Chicago, Illinois

POSTCARD CAPTION:

THE STEVENS World's Largest (and friendliest) Hotel / Located on Michigan Boulevard at 7th Street opposite Grant Park, and overlooking Lake Michigan, THE STEVENS is conveniently near Chicago's Loop - but away from the noise of the downtown district. 3,000 delightful, outside rooms - each with bath. THE STEVENS is the home of the Famous BOULEVARD ROOM which features fine cuisine, dancing to famous orchestras, and a full hour musical comedy revue, starring the BOULEVAR-DEARS.

POSTCARD MESSAGE:

FRONT: Am anxious to hear about the home in Haddonfield

BACK: I'm staying at the Mira-Mar near 63rd / Mon Oct. 9 1950 / Hi Sweeties! Haven't heard from T's in long time. Did you get the package of paper and M's picture? I left F. Thurs A.M. and arrived Chicago Fri P.M. I dined at Stevens with girlhood friend who lives here and teaches in C schools. We had a good visit. I came on bus via Washington Cleveland - Leave Wed nite. stop in Pgh. Love, best wishes, Mother

The Stevens Hotel opened in 1927 by the father of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and was at the time the largest hotel in the world. It is still open for guests under the name Hilton Chicago - parking alone will cost you $43 a day! While the hotel has endured, the early years of the business wrecked havoc on the Stevens family according to the story "Heartbreak Hotel" in the Chicago Magazine.

Are You A Girl Scout? I Hope So.

Postmarked 2 January 1951
Long Branch, New Jersey

Message:

Dear Millody: / I am sending you a picture of my church in Long Branch, NJ. I am a Girl Scout are you? Well I hope so. What Grade are you in? / Judy Di--mas

The Hills Aren't Hills but Mountains

Postmarked 28 December 1950
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Message:

Hi Mibs! / I wish you could be here in Pittsburgh with me. This morning the temperature was 2 below and was it cold! The hills out here aren't hills but mountains! Notice the small hills on the front of the card? some are like this ∩ only real high! Be seeing you soon. / Love, "Margie" V.

About Jones and Laughlin Steel (from the University of Pittsburgh Library):

The Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation was one of the largest iron and steel manufacturers in the United States during the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. Jones and Laughlin grew out of the American Iron Works, founded by John and Bernard Lauth in September 1853. Benjamin F. Jones later bought one-quarter controlling interest in the firm. In 1861, the Lauths sold off their shares to Jones. James Laughlin, who owned a rolling mill across the river in Hazelwood, bought into the company, and it was renamed Jones & Laughlin Steel Company. The company expanded its production capacity in 1909 with a new plant in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, twenty-six miles down the Ohio River from Pittsburgh. The company remained independent until 1974 it merged with Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV). All production facilities were closed by 1989.