This remarkable postcard image is undated, but likely was taken in the first decade or so of the twentieth century.

Typed along its right edge: “Elm City, N.C. ‘Cotton Picking’.”

The handwritten message: “I don’t know that you ever saw a cotton field at ‘picking time’ This is taken 1/2 mile from town just as they are getting ready to begin work ‘after dinner’.”

I honor the lives and memory of our cotton-picking ancestors.

Image courtesy of Keith Boykin. Thank you!