Child labor in the early 20th century

Maud Cheek one of the young spinners in the Drayton Mill, Spartenberg sic, S.C., runs 7 sides. Worked in another mill before she came here. Maud's two sisters Blanche and Grace all in the spinning room with her. Father did not appear to be working. Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Image by Lewis Wickes Hine, from the Library of Congress)

Considering child labor today, it’s worth noting how extensive it was in the past. The Library of Congress is an excellent source for public domain images, and has available the amazing photographs of child workers taken by Lewis Wickles Hine for the National Child Labor Committee.

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