Faces from the Past – A Patriotic School Group (& Swasey)

Scarborough Historical Society – Accession #2023.19.57
Tammy Shepherd Collection
By Don Taylor

Introduction

The Scarborough Historical Society preserves a remarkable collection of photographs that capture the everyday lives of local families and communities. Many of these images come to us with only partial identification, yet offer both a glimpse into the past and an invitation for further discovery.

Celebrating Flag Day, I examine a charming image of young children proudly holding American flags—an evocative scene of patriotism and childhood in the years following World War I.

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A Group of Children with Flags, circa 1919–1921

Description:

A group of 17 young children stand outdoors in a gentle semicircle, each holding a small American flag. The children appear to be of early primary school age, dressed in typical attire of the late 1910s to early 1920s—boys in sailor-style blouses and short trousers, and girls in light-colored dresses.

Behind them, a dirt path curves up toward a house set among mature trees, suggesting a rural or semi-rural setting. The open yard and informal arrangement indicate this was likely a school-related activity held outdoors.

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Identified Individual

Thanks to a handwritten note on the reverse of the photograph, we are able to identify one child with confidence:

• Far right: Raymond Lewis Swasey
  • Born: 1916
  • Parents:
    • Harry Allan Swasey (1873–1951)
    • Olla Mae (Colter) Swasey (1883–1932)

Raymond appears to be about three to five years old in this image, suggesting a date of approximately 1919 to 1921.

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Context and Interpretation

The presence of so many American flags suggests a patriotic school observance, possibly:

• Flag Day (June 14)
• A post–World War I patriotic exercise
• A school program emphasizing civic pride

The children’s young ages suggest this may have been a primary or kindergarten class, perhaps in a one-room or small district school setting.

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Where Was This Taken?

The reverse of the photograph includes the word “Portland,” however I’ve learned that in 1920 the Swasey family lived at 126 North Street in Portland (Munjoy Hill). But, the landscape in this image tells a different story.

The open grounds, dirt roadway, and widely spaced buildings do not resemble the urban environment of Portland’s East End. Instead, the scene strongly suggests a rural district school setting.

This raises an intriguing possibility: Was Raymond attending school outside Portland—or visiting family in a more rural community such as Scarborough or South Portland?

The house in the background appears to be a private residence rather than a formal school building, which was not uncommon for early district school settings or nearby teacher residences.

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Call for Identification

This photograph presents a wonderful opportunity for community collaboration.

We would especially like to know:

• Can anyone identify any of the other children in this photograph?
• Does anyone recognize the house in the background or the setting?
• Are there family stories of early school days involving flag ceremonies or group photographs like this?

If you have information, please contact me using the contact form below or the Scarborough Historical Society. Even small details can help piece together the full story behind this image.

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Conclusion

Although only one child—Raymond Lewis Swasey—has been identified, this photograph captures a broader story of childhood, education, and patriotism in the early 20th-century. With community assistance, I hope to restore the names and stories of the other children who stood proudly with their flags on that day.

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Disclaimer: This article was researched and written by the author. ChatGPT was used as a research and drafting aid, and Grammarly for editorial review and copyediting.