Centerville NC Vintage Photo Early 1900s Community Life

This vintage photograph, attributed to Frances Benjamin Johnston, captures a scene from Centerville, a small community in Franklin County, North Carolina. The image features a charming plank building surrounded by lush vines and children playing in the foreground, illustrating everyday life in this rural area. The presence of chimneys suggests the building was a home, likely reflecting the architectural characteristics of the region during the early 20th century.

Johnstons work is a notable contribution to the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which aimed to document the diverse architectural styles across the Southern United States. This photograph, near the Josiah Perry Farm, serves as a valuable historical record of the time, providing insight into the community’s lifestyle and the architectural vernacular of the period.

Acquired from the Frances Benjamin Johnston estate in 1953, this image is part of the Library of Congress collection. It offers a glimpse into the cultural and social dynamics of rural North Carolina in the early 1900s, making it a significant piece for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.