Animals in the Archives!

Today’s installment of Animals in the Archives is courtesy of the Trumpington family papers, a manuscript collection that is housed in the Washington College Archives, named after the historic Trumpington Manor in Rock Hall.

Most of the Trumpington Collection is comprised of personal papers of the Young, Willson, and Smythe families who lived at the manor, and offers a fascinating look at nineteenth century Eastern Shore life via correspondence, financial papers, assorted writings, ephemera, and photographs.  

In addition to their ability to literally capture a moment in time, photographs are significant historical documents because they can indicate items of importance to the photographer. It is clear, then, that the inhabitants of Trumpington Manor held animals in high esteem. Where today we might take a selfie with our pets using a funny filter, at Trumpington Manor, babies were posed atop horses and holding puppies, a clear demonstration of the love and trust that the inhabitants of Trumpington Manor had for these working animals.  

For more information about the Trumpington Collection, visit https://washcoll.libraryhost.com/repositories/3/resources/57