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Clothesline Collection

"Clothesline: A Timeless Symbol of Community and Resilience" The humble clothesline has long been a fixture in the urban landscape

Background imageClothesline Collection: Washing lines

Washing lines
Gloria Salgado Gispert

Background imageClothesline Collection: GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: SLUM. A close (alley) off High Street photographed in 1868 by

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: SLUM. A close (alley) off High Street photographed in 1868 by Thomas Annan

Background imageClothesline Collection: Tenements In New York City

Tenements In New York City
Photograph shows laundry drying on clotheslines in the backyards of New York City tenement slums, circa 1900. (Photo by FPG/Getty Images)

Background imageClothesline Collection: ROW HOUSES, 1938. Women and children in front of a row of low-income houses in Ambridge

ROW HOUSES, 1938. Women and children in front of a row of low-income houses in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Arthur Rothstein, July 1938

Background imageClothesline Collection: Venice street

Venice street
Alla Simacheva

Background imageClothesline Collection: Hamburg, school for young sailors, between c1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service

Hamburg, school for young sailors, between c1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service
Hamburg, school for young sailors, between c1915 and 1918. Sailors hanging laundry at a naval school in Hamburg, Germany during World War I.

Background imageClothesline Collection: The Tarpeian Rock, Rome, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson

The Tarpeian Rock, Rome, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
The Tarpeian Rock, Rome, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by M. Mariani. 'This locality of sinister recollections is now only frequented by washer-women

Background imageClothesline Collection: Wooden home of Alaskan Eskimo family, (1929?). Creator: Unknown

Wooden home of Alaskan Eskimo family, (1929?). Creator: Unknown
Wooden home of Alaskan Eskimo family, (1929?).

Background imageClothesline Collection: The child and the clothesline

The child and the clothesline
Jose C. Lobato

Background imageClothesline Collection: European travel views, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe

European travel views, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
European travel views, between 1904 and 1938

Background imageClothesline Collection: Certaldo, June 6th, 61, 1861. Creator: Samuel Colman

Certaldo, June 6th, 61, 1861. Creator: Samuel Colman
Certaldo, June 6th, 61, 1861

Background imageClothesline Collection: View of Paris from the Embankment beneath the Pont Neuf, c18th century. Creator: Elias Martin

View of Paris from the Embankment beneath the Pont Neuf, c18th century. Creator: Elias Martin
View of Paris from the Embankment beneath the Pont Neuf, c18th century

Background imageClothesline Collection: L'offensive Francaise d'avril-mai 1917; Dans le bois de Roucy (Aisne): la toilette du... 1917

L'offensive Francaise d'avril-mai 1917; Dans le bois de Roucy (Aisne): la toilette du... 1917
L'offensive Francaise d'avril-mai 1917; Dans le bois de Roucy (Aisne): la toilette du soldat, le 15 avril, veille de la l'ataille [?], 1917

Background imageClothesline Collection: Tavern Scene, 1692. Creator: Richard Brakenburgh

Tavern Scene, 1692. Creator: Richard Brakenburgh
Tavern Scene, 1692

Background imageClothesline Collection: Woman at a clothesline, 1848-1888. Creator: Anton Mauve

Woman at a clothesline, 1848-1888. Creator: Anton Mauve
Woman at a clothesline, 1848-1888

Background imageClothesline Collection: Farmyard with lying pig, 1882. Creator: Nicolaas Bastert

Farmyard with lying pig, 1882. Creator: Nicolaas Bastert
Farmyard with lying pig, 1882

Background imageClothesline Collection: Moored barges, 1870-1923. Creator: Willem Witsen

Moored barges, 1870-1923. Creator: Willem Witsen
Moored barges, 1870-1923

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard with figures in Utrecht, 1773-1815. Creator: Hermanus van Brussel

Courtyard with figures in Utrecht, 1773-1815. Creator: Hermanus van Brussel
Courtyard with figures in Utrecht, 1773-1815

Background imageClothesline Collection: Court of tenement, New York City, between 1900 and 1910. Creator: Unknown

Court of tenement, New York City, between 1900 and 1910. Creator: Unknown
Court of tenement, New York City, between 1900 and 1910

Background imageClothesline Collection: The Organ-Grinder Outside a Cottage, 1640. Creator: Adriaen van Ostade

The Organ-Grinder Outside a Cottage, 1640. Creator: Adriaen van Ostade
The Organ-Grinder Outside a Cottage, 1640

Background imageClothesline Collection: U.S.S. Mayflower, between 1898 and 1901. Creator: Edward H Hart

U.S.S. Mayflower, between 1898 and 1901. Creator: Edward H Hart
U.S.S. Mayflower, between 1898 and 1901. Motor vessel originally built as a private yacht - served in a variety of military, governmental, and commercial roles

Background imageClothesline Collection: A Monday washing, New York City, c1900. Creator: Unknown

A Monday washing, New York City, c1900. Creator: Unknown
A Monday washing, New York City, c1900. Photo shows many lines of clothes hanging between buildings at Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and One Hundred and Seventh Street

Background imageClothesline Collection: The Rear Courtyard of Charlottenborg Palace, 1828. Creator: Frederik Hansen Sodring

The Rear Courtyard of Charlottenborg Palace, 1828. Creator: Frederik Hansen Sodring
The Rear Courtyard of Charlottenborg Palace, 1828

Background imageClothesline Collection: Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938

Background imageClothesline Collection: Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Europe, between 1904 and 1938. Back alley with lines of washing. Note goat on upturned tub

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard with cistern and hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Courtyard with cistern and hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Courtyard with cistern and hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: View of a courtyard through an arched passageway, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

View of a courtyard through an arched passageway, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
View of a courtyard through an arched passageway, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: Man standing in a courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Man standing in a courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Man standing in a courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: Man standing in a courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Man standing in a courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Man standing in a courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Courtyard, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard with hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Courtyard with hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Courtyard with hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard with hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Courtyard with hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Courtyard with hanging laundry, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard with hanging laundry and laundry equipment, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Courtyard with hanging laundry and laundry equipment, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Courtyard with hanging laundry and laundry equipment, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard with a garage, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Courtyard with a garage, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Courtyard with a garage, New Orleans, between 1920 and 1926

Background imageClothesline Collection: The Bridge at Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Creator: Paul Sandby

The Bridge at Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Creator: Paul Sandby
The Bridge at Bridgnorth in Shropshire

Background imageClothesline Collection: Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Maize and washing line in a courtyard

Background imageClothesline Collection: Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Maize and washing line in a courtyard

Background imageClothesline Collection: Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Travel views of Cuba and Guatemala, between 1899 and 1926. Maize and washing line in a courtyard

Background imageClothesline Collection: Acoma, New Mexico area views, between 1899 and 1928. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Acoma, New Mexico area views, between 1899 and 1928. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Acoma, New Mexico area views, between 1899 and 1928

Background imageClothesline Collection: Acoma, New Mexico area views, between 1899 and 1928. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Acoma, New Mexico area views, between 1899 and 1928. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Acoma, New Mexico area views, between 1899 and 1928

Background imageClothesline Collection: 'Flagstones, ' Charles Clinton Marshall house, 117 West 55th Street, New York, New York, 1922

"Flagstones, " Charles Clinton Marshall house, 117 West 55th Street, New York, New York, 1922

Background imageClothesline Collection: Courtyard with clothes drying, c1900. Creator: Eugene Atget

Courtyard with clothes drying, c1900. Creator: Eugene Atget
Courtyard with clothes drying, c1900

Background imageClothesline Collection: City Gardens Club of New York City Exhibition at the International Flower Show, March, 1921

City Gardens Club of New York City Exhibition at the International Flower Show, March, 1921, Grand Central Palace, New York, 1921

Background imageClothesline Collection: Houses of Sintra

Houses of Sintra
Henrike Schenk

Background imageClothesline Collection: Female Migrant from Arkhangelsk Province to Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. Old Believer, 1904

Female Migrant from Arkhangelsk Province to Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. Old Believer, 1904. Boris Vasilievich Smirnov (1881-1954)

Background imageClothesline Collection: Detail of a clothes line on a building of the 'Piazza Garibaldi' main square in the historical

Detail of a clothes line on a building of the "Piazza Garibaldi" main square in the historical cask of Lerici, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

Background imageClothesline Collection: Clothes line on a balcony of a building in the historical cask of Lerici, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

Clothes line on a balcony of a building in the historical cask of Lerici, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

Background imageClothesline Collection: Burano patchwork

Burano patchwork
Olivier Schram



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"Clothesline: A Timeless Symbol of Community and Resilience" The humble clothesline has long been a fixture in the urban landscape, serving as a visual reminder of tenements in New York City and row houses in Ambridge, and is an emblem of hardworking women and children, diligently hanging their laundry on washing lines to dry under the sun. From the vibrant streets of Venice to the colorful patchwork of Burano, clotheslines have adorned walls with garments swaying gently in the breeze. In Hoi An, Vietnam, they bring life to blue walls while adding charm to Quang Nam Province. Even as far back as 1943 Houston, Texas, John Vachon captured a snapshot of American life with clothes hung out to dry against a backdrop of houses. Clotheslines were not limited to residential areas alone; they found their place amidst factories and gas pumps too. Between 1941 and 1942, unknown creators immortalized these scenes where workwear mingled with everyday clothing on drying lines. Yet beyond its practical purpose lies a deeper significance - that of community connection. In Marcella Plantation's backyard in Mileston, Mississippi Delta during 1939, Marion Post Wolcott documented how even Negro tenants embraced this communal practice. Clotheslines became bridges between neighbors who shared stories while tending to their chores. In times when resources were scarce or living conditions challenging like during FSA camps such as Robstown, Texas in 1942 depicted by Arthur Rothstein - clotheslines stood tall as symbols of resilience. They represented determination and resourcefulness within communities facing adversity together. Through time and across continents, the clothesline remains an enduring symbol that transcends cultural boundaries.