Lewis Hine / Library of Congress
As an agricultural area, Beaufort County has a long histroy of child labor and the Beaufort District Collection is holding a free presentation on the topic.
Pictured above is 6 year old "Bertha" who was an oyster shucker that began work a 4 a.m. each morning in the Maggioni Canning factory on Lady's Island circa 1912.
Bertha's story and others like her will be used in the discussion on Thursday, August 23, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Here are more details from the presentation listing:
Lewis Hine took this photograph and the photographs of many child laborers throughout the United States in the 1900s -1920s. The power of his images resulted in changes in the law affecting the employment of children in manufacturing, canneries and agriculture.
Yet, child labor remains an issue today in many parts of the world - and it is a theme within the One County Reads One Country: Afghanistan project selection In The Sea There Are Crocodiles.
Come learn about local child laborers during the free
"History of Child Labor in Beaufort District"
Presentation by Grace Cordial, BDC Manager
Thurs., Aug. 23rd
6:00 - 7:00 pm
2nd Floor, 311 Scott Street(Upstairs in the Library building).
Anyone over age 12 interested in this local history topic is encouraged to attend.
* "One County Reads One Country: Afghanistan" has been made possible through a Library Services and Technology Act grant awarded to the Beaufort County Library and administered by the South Carolina State Library.
