[Photograph - African-American Banquet Workers; Newbury (Mass.); H.P. Macintosh (photographer)]

[Banquet Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Newbury, Mass.]

[Newburyport, Mass. H.P. Macintosh, 1885].

Cabinet card (24 x 15 cm.), albumen print mounted on card, with the photographer's information printed on the verso. Original photograph of preparation for the banquet to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Newbury, Massachusetts. The image shows a massive tent, with banquet tables set with white china. Preparing the tables are twenty or twenty-one African-American stewards, servers, and cooks. At least two of the servers are women, and at the rear, lighter clothing indicates chefs or cooks. Subtle variations in uniforms will be a clue to specific roles. The verso reads "H.P. Macintosh, Photographer, Newbury, Mass., Children Taken Instantaneously". The 250th anniversary of Newbury was celebrated on June 10, 1885, under the direction of the Historical Society of Old Newbury. Held in Newburyport's City Hall, the celebration featured musical selections by an orchestra with a chorus of male and female voices under the direction of Norman McLeod. An original ode by Mrs. Louise P. Hopkins was read, and Rev. Samuel Colcord Bartlett, president of Dartmouth College, delivered an historical address. After the exercises in City Hall, dinner was provided for over 1,000 guests in a spacious tent erected on vacant land near the corner of High Street at the head of Allen Street in Newburyport.  Viands were served by J. Dooling, caterer of Boston. Presumably, the staff of the dinner depicted in the photo was provided by the caterer. Brief after-dinner speeches from men prominent in the social and political life of Old Newbury continued until 7:00 PM. In the evening, a reception was held back at City Hall where citizens from Newbury and neighboring towns gathered to listen to the music of "a small but well-trained orchestra". Some bowing of the photograph. Pencil inscription "250th Anniversary, Newbury". Some light soiling, otherwise fine.

Price: $600.00