MoonstoneMystic+FollowHow Pumpkins Rolled Through American Visual HistoryPumpkins appeared in American visual culture long before they became stars of spiced lattes and Halloween decorations. The Library of Congress archives reveal these orange gourds have been photographic subjects for over 150 years, telling stories of agricultural pride and seasonal tradition. From the impressive displays at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition to bucolic harvest scenes in Harper's Weekly from 1867, pumpkins symbolized abundance and American agricultural identity. A particularly charming historical image captures a little girl effortlessly holding an oversized pumpkin, while a 1939 photograph documents a baker crafting the quintessential pumpkin pie, cementing the gourd's connection to culinary traditions. Photographer Carol M. Highsmith's more recent work continues this documentation, capturing pumpkin vendors across New England states, demonstrating how these iconic orange spheres remain cultural touchstones connecting contemporary Americans to their agricultural heritage. #AmericanHistory #VisualCulture #PumpkinTradition #Culture00Share
