THE ROBINSON-VIA FAMILY PAPERS, 1845-2000
#475

(10 Cubic Feet: DB19, F/O2, ShB6, 1 Paige, 1 OS Folder)

by: Franklin A. Robinson, Jr., February 2001

APPENDIX I, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ROBINSON-VIA PHOTOGRAPHS/NEGATIVES

The photographs and negatives, when existent, were numbered sequentially, with the collection number (475) and an assigned number which was also given the same number. Additional negatives with no photographic counterpart in the collection were numbered accordingly in sequence. Photograph numbers appearing in ( ) indicate a photograph which is listed under the appropriate subject heading, but which is part of a double negative filed under a different subject heading. Photographs include detailed descriptions written on the reverse.

Photographic Number Additional Negatives Subject
HOLIDAYS/LIFE RITUALS
475/1-3 475/1326 Gladys Archer's baby shower November, 1962
475/4-8 475/1327 FAR(b.1959) baptism, November, 1959
475/2268-2269 RDR(b.1962) baptism, ca. 1963
475/9 RDV(b.1933) 1st Birthday 1934
475/10-13 FAR(b.1959) 2nd Birthday 1961
475/14-16 RDR(b.1962) 1st Birthday 1963
475/17-18 475/1328 FAR(b.1959) 3rd Birthday 1963
475/19-20 475/1329-1330 RDR(b.1962) 2nd Birthday 1964
475/21-22 475/1331-1334 ATR(b.1963) 1st Birthday 1964
475/23-25 475/1335-1337 RDR(b.1962) 3rd Birthday 1965
475/26-33 FAR(b.1959) 6th Birthday 1965
475/34-37 475/1338-1343 ATR(b.1963) 2nd Birthday 1965
475/38-40 475/1344-1346 RDR(b.1962) 4th Birthday 1966
475/41-47 475/1406-1408 FAR(b.1959) 7th Birthday 1966
475/48-51 ATR(b.1963) 3rd Birthday 1966
475/1347-1349 (1350) RDR(b.1962) 7th Birthday 1968
475/52-54 ATR(b.1963) 19th Birthday 1982
475/55 RDR(b.1962) 21st Birthday 1983
475/56 RDR(b.1962) 22nd Birthday 1984
475/57-58 FAR(b.1959) 25th Birthday 1984
475/59 DGM(b.?) Birthday 1984
475/60-61 ATR(b.1963) 21st Birthday 1984
475/62 FAR(b.1959) 32nd Birthday 1991
475/63-65 ANR(b.1990) 2nd Birthday 1992
475/66-69 ANR(b.1990) 3rd Birthday 1993
475/70 FAR(b.1932) High School Prom, 1951
475/71-72 FAR(b.1932)/AMV(b.1937) formal wear for school function, 1951
475/73 FAR(b.1959) High School Prom, 1977 (tuxedo in NMAH costume coll.)
475/74-76 ATR(b.1963)/RDR(b.1962) High School Prom, 1980
475/77 RDR(b.1962) High School Prom, 1978
475/78 RDR(b.1962) High School Prom, 1979
475/79 ATR(b.1963) High School Prom, 1981
475/1351-1354 AMV(b.1937) High School Graduation, 1955
475/80 FAR(b.1959) High School Graduation, 1977
475/81-91 FAR(b.1959) College Graduation/reception, 1981 (suit in NMAH, costume coll.)
475/92-96 ATR(b.1963) High School Graduation/reception 1981
475/97 Margaret Naylor Townshend (b.1908) Wedding to Frank Elmo Ward, May, 1933
475/98 BVM(b.1902) Wedding to CG, ca. 1930s
475/99 Wedding Party, Beaton/Sweeney, AMV(b.1937), Maid of Honor, 1955/56
475/100-106 (475/1355) AMV(b.1937)/FAR(b.1932),Wedding, July 27, 1958
475/107 HS/FAR(b.1932) Wedding party, July 1978 (FAR, Jr. suit in NMAH costume coll.)
475/108-109 DML/RDR(b.1962) Wedding, May 5, 1984
475/110-113 RMV(b.1906)/VWV(b.1914), 50th Wedding anniversary, 1982
475/2329 Grave of RHR, March 1937
475/114-115 ABR(b.1849), burial, 1940
475/116-118 475/1356 AVR(b.1937), burial, 1966
475/119 FAR(b.1883), burial, 1970
475/120 AMV(b.1937)/RDV(b.1933), Easter, 1941
475/121 AMV(b.1937), Easter, ca. 1940s
475/122-123 475/1357-1358 FAR(b.1959), Easter, 1960
475/124-130 475/1359 Easter, 1962
475/131-132 475/2264-2267 Easter, 1963
475/133-134 475/1360-(1368) Easter, 1965
475/135 Easter, 1968
475/136 4th of July, 1990
475/137-138 Halloween, 1963
474/139 Halloween, 1967
475/140-141 Thanksgiving, 1984
475/142-143 475/2312-2313 Via Christmas, 1951
475/2314 Robinson Christmas, 1951
475/144-148 475/1369-1371 Via Christmas, 1953
475/149-151 475/1372 Via Christmas, pre-1955
475/2311 Robinson Christmas, 1951
475/152 Robinson Christmas, pre-1957
475/153-155 Robinson Christmas, 1957
475/156-159 475/1373-1375 Robinson Christmas, 1958
475/160-164 475/1376-1381 Robinson/Via Christmas, 1961
475/165-176 475/1382-1385 Robinson/Via Christmas, 1962
475/177-187 475/1386-1387 Robinson Christmas, 1963
475/188-194 475/1388-1396 Robinson Christmas, 1964
475/195-201 475/1397-1400 Robinson Christmas, 1965
475/202-204 475/1401-1405 Robinson Christmas, 1966
475/205-208 Robinson Christmas, 1970
475/209-210 Robinson Christmas, 1982
475/211-227 Robinson Christmas, 1984
475/1409-1414 Archer Christmas, ca. 1958
475/1415-1421 Via Christmas, post-1974
VACATIONS/LEISURE
475/228 Via Picnic, early 20th century
475/229-232 Robinson family/Washington, DC, ca. late 1920s/early 1930s
475/233 Robinson/hunting group, ca. late 1920s/early 1930s
475/234 Robinson/Marshall Hall Amusement Park, ca. 1931-32
475/235 Robinson/Marshall Hall Amusement Park, ca. post-1935
475/236-237 (475/1422) Robinson, Robey, Via, fishing at Mason Springs, 1950
475/238-239 FAR(b.1932) Gwynn Park High School Senior Class trip to NYC, June 1, 1951
475/240-247 475/1423-1424 AMV(b.1937)/FAR(b.1932) Wilson Line boat trip to Mt. Vernon, VA, Aug. 26, 1951
475/1425 AMV(b.1937), Ft. Wash., MD, 1951
475/248 475/1426-1440 FAR(b.1932) fly/aerial views
475/249-251 475/1441-1448 AMV(b.1937) Gwynn Park High School Senior Class trip to NYC, June 1955
475/252 AMV(b.1937)/FAR(b.1932) shopping in downtown Washington, DC between 13th & 14th Sts. on F St., NW, 1955
475/253 Swimming group, 1956
475/254-255 475/1449-1451 Robinson/Via/Archer outing/evening picnic, post-1956
475/256 (475/1452)-1454 Fireman's Parade, Brandywine, MD 1959
475/257-291 475/1455-1460 Robinson trip to US West, 1962, incl. 1962 Seattle World's Fair
475/292-306 475/1461-1488 Robinson trip to US West, 1965, incl. Disneyland, CA
475/307 475/1489 Robinson, 4th of July picnic 1965 or 1966
475/308 Robinson, Wye Oak, MD
475/309-318 Robinson, boating on Patuxent River, Charles Co., MD, 1968 or 1969
475/319-320 475/1491-1493 Fireman's Parade, Mechanicsville, MD, ca. early 1970s
475/321-322 475/1494-1497 Fireman's Parade, Waldorf, MD, ca. early 1970s
475/323-334 Old Fields Episcopal Church Bull Roast, Serenity Farm, June 1983
475/335-342 FAR(b.1932) trip to Washington State, 1984, Mt. St. Helens
475/343-344 FAR(b.1959), Mt. Vernon, VA, 1985 (coat in the NMAH costume coll.)
475/345-347 475/1498-1512 Robinson/Via, FL, ca. 1950s
475/348-355 475/1513-1528 Robinson/Via, FL, Feb/1956
475/356 FAR(b.1883) hunting rabbits, ca. 1920s
(475/1529)-1536 Smoking trout
475/1537-1539 Fireman's Parade, ca. early 1970s
475/1540 AMV(b.1938)/VWV(b.1914) Wilson Line @ Marshall Hall Amusement Park, 1950s
475/1541-1554 AMV(b.1937)/FAR(b.1932), New England honeymoon, 1958
475/1555-1587 FAR(b.1932) FFA trip to Kansas City, MO, 1953 or 1954 Roy Acuff in concert
475/1588-1595 Robinson, Maryland Conservation Field Day, Jefferson, MD, August 18, 1948
SERENITY FARM, CHARLES CO., MD
475/357-535 475/1608-1619 Serenity Farm, Charles Co., MD
Tobacco Production Photographs, 1999-2000
Frame # SI# Sheet A, photographed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
AO A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance.
A1 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance. Tenant farmer, George W. Morgan's fields and equipment are to the left of the road leading down to the Patuxent River.
A2 Panorama including A0 and A1.
A3 Looking south-east, a newly planted tobacco field, planted with type 32 Maryland tobacco.
A4 A broader view of A3.
A5 An International 484 tractor pulling a four seat tobacco planter with water tank and fertilizer attachments.
A6 Rear view of A5.
A7 Bert Henson, Dale Young and Rosie Kyler playing poker between planting while water and fertilizer are bing refilled in the tobacco planter.
A8 The tobacco planter at the end of the row, tractor driven by Franklin A. Robinson, Sr.
A9-10 Loading tobacco plants into the planter.
A11 Bert Henson and Rosie Kyler loading tobacco plants onto the planter for transplanting.
A12 Looking north, the trailer used to haul tobacco plants (left) and the trailer used to haul fertilizer. Chalk Point power generating plant in the background.
A13 Looking east, Dale Young, Rosie Kyler, Carlo White and Bert Henson waiting to begin transplanting.
A14 Dale Young, Rosie Kyler, Carlo White and Bert Henson transplanting.
A15 A wider view of A14.
A16 A Styrofoam flat of Maryland Type 32 tobacco plants. (Plants were grown by Buddy Hance of Calvert County, Maryland.)
A17-18 An empty Styrofoam flat and a full flat of Maryland Type 32 tobacco plants.
A19 Flats of tobacco plants loaded onto the trailer for hauling.
A20 A Maryland Type 32 tobacco plant ready to be transplanted.
A21 An International 484 tractor pulling a four seat tobacco planter with water tank and fertilizer attachments driven by Franklin A. Robinson, Sr.
A22 Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. seated on the tractor, replanting in the background.
A23-24 Replanting missed tobacco plants.
A24a/25 Bert Henson replanting.
Sheet B, photographed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr. and Adina T. Robinson
B0 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance.
B1 A field of tobacco after cultivation
B2 A close-up of B1.
B3 Adina T. Robinson cultivating tobacco on an International H tractor with a shade umbrella attached.
B4 A close-up of B3.
B5 A rear view of B3.
B6 Looking west, Adina T. Robinson cultivating tobacco on an 1942, International H tractor with a shade umbrella attached.
B7 Looking south-west, Rosie Kyler, Bert Henson and Dale Young grassing tobacco after the field has been tractor cultivated.
B8 A view of the tobacco field looking north-west, the farm buildings and houses are in the distance.
B9 A closer view of B7.
B10 Stefan Brown topping tobacco.
B11 A field of tobacco in full flower prior to topping.
B12-14 Stefan Brown topping tobacco.
B15-16 Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. spraying tobacco with MG-30 for sucker control and Orthene for worm control, after the tobacco has been topped. He is riding a DeCloet sprayer.
B17 A topped and sprayed field of tobacco looking south.
B18-21 Looking south, Virginia L. Robinson driving the stick trailer, Joseph F. Vermillion and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. dropping tobacco sticks along the layrows of cut tobacco.
B22 Virginia L. Robinson driving the tractor pulling the stick trailer.
B23 Looking west, loading speared tobacco onto a trailer to be hauled to the tobacco curing barn. An International 3788 tractor is pulling the trailer.
B24-25 Bert Henson, Willard White and Stefan Brown loading speared tobacco on the trailer to be hauled to the tobacco curing barn.
Sheet C, photographed by Adina T. Robinson
C0-1 Bert Henson loading tobacco to be hauled to the curing barn.
C2 A wider view of C0-1.
C3 Looking west, cutting tobacco for spearing.
C4 Dale Young, Douglas Brooks, and Bert Henson cutting tobacco for spearing.
C5 Douglas Brooks, and Mack Thomas cutting tobacco for spearing.
C6 Mack Thomas, Douglas Brooks and Rosie Kyler cutting tobacco for spearing.
C7 Dale Young cutting tobacco for spearing.
C8 The crew loading tobacco to be hauled to the curing barn.
C9-11 Robert D. Robinson cutting tobacco into a layrow for spearing.
C12 Brother Larry Maick and Robert D. Robinson hanging tobacco in the curing barn.
C13 The crew hanging tobacco in the curing barn.
C14 Rosie Kyler (left) and Dale Young hanging tobacco in the curing barn.
C15 Brother Larry Maick hanging tobacco and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. in the curing barn.
C16 The tobacco field, looking east, piles of tobacco waiting to be hauled to the curing barn. At right, the crew is spearing tobacco onto sticks.
C17-19 Douglas Brooks and Stefan Brown spearing tobacco.
C20 Bert Henson, Douglas Brooks, and Stefan Brown loading tobacco for hauling to the curing barn.
C21 Dale Young and Willard White spearing tobacco.
C22 Rosie Kyler spearing tobacco.
C23 Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. on the last day of harvest, 1999.
C24 Franklin A. Robinson in front of curing tobacco hanging in the curing barn.
Sheet D, photographed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
D0 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance.
D1 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance. Tenant farmer, George W. Morgan's fields and equipment are to the left of the road leading down to the Patuxent River.
D2 A view of the barnyard and main house area from the tobacco field
D3 Looking north-east, a view of the tobacco field after harvest.
D4 Looking north-west, a view of the tobacco field after harvest.
D5 Looking east, a view of the tobacco field after harvest.
D6 Looking north-east, a view of the tobacco field after harvest. A view of the tobacco barns and farm house is in the background.
D7 End of harvest picnic/celebration, 1999, left to right, Rosie Kyler, Stefan Brown and April Hart
D8 End of harvest picnic/celebration, 1999. Left to right, Russell White, Douglas Brooks, Robert D. Robinson (on phone) and Dale Young
D9-10 Russell White tending the barbecue, end of harvest picnic/celebration, 1999.
D11 Adina T. Robinson and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. making out paychecks for the help.
D12 End of harvest picnic/celebration 1999, Left to right, Dale Young, Adina T. Robinson, Russell White, Stefan Brown, Emory Thomas and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr.
D13 Adina T. Robinson making out the paychecks for the help.
D14 Pallets of tobacco sticks, the curing barn in the background has its windows open to facilitate curing.
D15 A pile of cured tobacco waiting to be stripped.
D16-23 Ambrose "Man" Kyler, Douglas Brooks, Dale Young, Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. and Adina T. Robinson taking down cured tobacco for stripping.
D24 Adina T. Robinson holding up a stick of cured tobacco.
D25 Piles of cured tobacco waiting to be stripped.
D26, D28 Dale Young passing two sticks of cured tobacco to Adina T. Robinson.
D27 Adina T. Robinson packing down sticks of cured tobacco to prevent them from drying out.
D29-30 Stripped and baled tobacco waiting to be taken to market.
D31-32 Peaceable Kingdom? Box Car and Liberty the farm cat and dog.
D33, D35, D37 Ambrose Kyler, Douglas Brooks, Dale Young, Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. and Adina T. Robinson taking down sticks of cured tobacco to be stripped.
D34, D36 A view of the curing barn with hanging sticks of cured tobacco.
Sheet E, photographed by Adina T. Robinson, spring 2000
E0A Hacks of stripped tobacco waiting to be unloaded at the tobacco market/auction warehouse in Waldorf, Maryland
E1A-2A Unloading hacks of tobacco at the Waldorf warehouse.
E3A An interior view of the Hughesville tobacco warehouse with hacks of tobacco in the foreground.
E4A A traditional hack of tobacco at the warehouse.
E5A James Bowling (warehouse owner) and Albert Raley at the Waldorf warehouse.
E6A-9A Unloading baled tobacco at the Waldorf warehouse.
E10A Weighing baled tobacco at the Waldorf warehouse. Left to right, uniden., George H. Morgan and James Bowling.
E11A George H. Morgan and James Bowling at the scales, Waldorf warehouse.
E12A A view of the Waldorf warehouse, baled tobacco in the foreground.
E13A An interior view of the Waldorf warehouse, baled tobacco on the left, hacked hands of tobacco on the right.
E14A Rosie Kyler and Dale Young stripping tobacco at Serenity Farm.
E15A Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. making cotton string ties for baling tobacco.
E16A Rosie Kyler stripping tobacco.
E17A Hauling a pallet of cured tobacco to the stripping room.
E18A The stripping room filled with cured tobacco waiting to be stripped.
E19A Baled tobacco and a stick pallet in the barn.
E20A-21A The hydraulic tobacco baler in the stripping room.
E22A Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. bringing a pallet of cured tobacco to be stripped into the stripping room.
E23A-25A Liberty and Box Car in the stripping room.
Sheet F, photographed by Adina T. Robinson, spring 2000
F0 Dale Young baling stripped tobacco leaves.
F1-3 Joseph F. Vermillion, Dale Young baling stripped tobacco leaves.
F4-5 Dale Young and Rosie Kyler taking cured tobacco off the stick to be stripped.
F6 Mack Thomas stripping tobacco leaves off the stalk.
F7 Dale Young baling stripped tobacco leaves.
F8-10 Tobacco auction at the Hughesville tobacco warehouse.
F11 A bale of Serenity Farm tobacco with weight ticket and buyers tag at the Hughesville tobacco warehouse.
F12 A row of baled Serenity Farm tobacco with weight tickets and buyers tags at the Hughesville tobacco warehouse.
F13 A proud grower, Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. with soe of his tobacco on the auction floor at the Hughesville warehouse.
F14-22 Auctioning off tobacco at the Hughesville warehouse, Gilbert Bowling left, followed by Walter Wilkerson, auctioneer.
F23-25 Views of the Hughesville tobacco warehouse.
Photographic

Number

 Additional

Negatives

 VIA FARM
475/536-570 475/1620-1626, 1635-1645 Via Farm, Prince George's Co. MD, 1950-1956
475/571-630 475/1627-1634, 1646-1700 Via Farm, Calvert Co., MD, 1956-1993
POTOMAC LANDING/FERNDALE FARM, PRINCE GEORGE'S CO., MD
475/631-888 (475/1422,1350, 1908), 475/1701-1897 Potomac Landing/Ferndale Farm, Prince George's Co., MD
VIA FAMILY
475/889-1003 (475/1355)
1898-1963		 Via family
475/1964-2017 RDV(b.1933) US Army life, 1953
475/2315 Diana Beadles wife of Robert Beadles, ca.1865
475/2316 Donna Mae Barker & her sister Anna Cleo Barker, ca. 1920s
475/2317 Family of Samuel C. Naylor, Rockingham Co., VA ca. 1870s
475/2318 Hiram Chapman Via, 1899
475/2319 Adina Eleanor Eusebia Runkle, 1899
475/2320 Robert Milton Via, ca. 1924
475/2321 Harriet Naylor Via, ca. 1860s
475/2322 Milton Denson Lewis Runkle and his mother Francis Powell Runkle, ca. 1865
475/2323 Frances Naylor Via & Robert St. Clair Via, ca. 1866
475/2324 William Craig Via, 7th Va. Inf. CSA, ca. 1860-62
475/2325 Robert St. Clair Via
475/2326 Ida Virginia Woods, ca. 1931
475/2327 Ezra C. Barker seated & Daniel Columbus Woods, Brunswick, Maryland, ca. 1930s
475/2328 Jesse Lee Woods, ca. 1913
ROBINSON FAMILY
475/1004-1276 475/2018-2141 Robinson family
475/2270

475/2330

 Robert Henry Robinson in his brother James' CSA uniform, ca. post 1865
475/2331 Robert H. Robinson, ca. 1905/06
475/2332 Franklin A. Robinson, (b.1841)
475/2333 RHR & ABR, 50th wedding anniversary
475/2334 Lucy Robinson Arth & Caroline Robinson Weeks
475/2335 MER, RLR, & FAR (b.1932) at Ferndale Farm, ca. 1937-36
FRANKLIN A. ROBINSON (b 1932) US ARMY LIFE
475/1277-1325 475/2142-2263 FAR(b.1932) US Army life, Ft. Gordon, GA & Camp Handford, WA, 1955-1956
OVERSIZE PHOTOGRAPHS
475/2271 Martha Perry Robinson and Harry Townshend, 1904
475/2272-2277 AMV 6/10 grade, school portraits
475/2278 AMV 3rd grade portrait
475/2279 AMV 4th grade portrait
475/2280 Cleo Barker Keyser
475/2281 MPR, 2 Dec. 1904
475/2282 Harry Naylor Townshend, 1906
475/2283 MRT 1962, death photo
475/2284 Margaret Walker Lennox, ca. 1971-72, Brandywine Drum & Majorette Corps. photo.
475/2285 Robert David Robinson, ca. 1971-72, Brandywine Drum & Majorette Corps. photo.
475/2286 Adina Theresa Robinson, ca. 1971-72, Brandywine Drum & Majorette Corps. photo.
475/2287 Franklin A. Robinson, Jr. ca. 1971-72, Brandywine Drum & Majorette Corps. photo.
475/2288-2289 MWL/BR marriage, 1984
475/2290 KMV, infant portrait, June, 1976
475/2291 FAR, 2nd grade class photo. Fall, 1966
475/2292 FAR, Kindergarten class photo., 1965
475/2293 FAR/MWL, Driver's ED. Class, Charlotte Hall, Fall, 1975
475/2294 FAR(b.1959) studio portrait, 1981
475/2295 FAR(b.1932) Senior Prom,8 June 1951
475/2296 Rosalie S. Weeks, child's portrait, 1913
475/2297 Wayne Via, infant portrait, ca. early 1930s
475/2298 Holliday Early, infant portrait, 1909
475/2299 Margaret N. Townshend, child's portrait, 1916
475/2300 Willie Ann Howes, studio portrait, ca. 1950s
475/2301 Catherine C. Bourne, infant portrait, 1927
475/2302 Caroline Robinson Weeks & child, Gerald Robinson Weeks, early 20th c.
475/2303 Rosalie S. Weeks, child's portrait, 1915/16
475/2304 R. Henry Robinson, child's portrait, early 20th c.
475/2305 RDV, school portrait, 1940s
475/2306 Graduating Class of 1951, Gwynn Park High School, FAR (b.1932) & RDV (b.1933)
475/2307 FAR (b.1959), June 1971, 6th grade class, Holy Trinity Day School
475/2308 FAR (b.1959), May 1977, Calverton High School graduating class
475/2309 Jules H. Sorrell, infant portrait, ca. early 20th c.
475/2310 Gerald R. Weeks, studio portrait, ca. 1920s
475/2311 GRW & Alfred Weeks (brothers) studio portrait, 1906
475/2336 Martha P. Robinson, October, 1906 (pearls in the NMAH costume coll.)

SERENITY FARM TOBACCO PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHS, 1999-2000

These "work" photographs were taken by Adina T. Robinson and Franklin A. Robinson, Jr. during the 1999-2000 tobacco production year. Serenity Farm is approximately 290 acres located on the Patuxent River in Benedict, Charles County, Maryland. Serenity Farm produced between thirty and seventy acres of tobacco per year, approximately 2/3 of that amount being grown by the farm and 1/3 being grown by a tenant farmer, at the time of these photographs the tenant farmer was George H. Morgan. Labor for tobacco production was a combination of family and seasonal hired help, mostly from Calvert County, Maryland. In addition to tobacco, Serenity Farm produces hay, rye, soybeans, corn, sheep and cattle. In 2001, Serenity Farm opted to take the Maryland state tobacco buyout program, thus their last crop year was 2000-2001. The Robinson family had been engaged in tobacco production since at least 1745 in both Prince George's County and Charles County, Maryland. An ancestor, Robert Henry Robinson had served as the Deputy State Tobacco Inspector in the early 20th century. A portion of the family papers, photographs and films are part of the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, Archives Center, Washington, DC and known as The Robinson-Via Family Papers.

Tobacco Production Photographs, 1999-2000
Sheet/Frame # Sheet A, photographed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
AO A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance.
A1 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance. Tenant farmer, George W. Morgan's fields and equipment are to the left of the road leading down to the Patuxent River.
A2 Panorama including A0 and A1.
A3 Looking south-east, a newly planted tobacco field, planted with type 32 Maryland tobacco.
A4 A broader view of A3.
A5 An International 484 tractor pulling a four seat tobacco planter with water tank and fertilizer attachments.
A6 Rear view of A5.
A7 Bert Henson, Dale Young and Rosie Kyler playing poker between planting while water and fertilizer are bing refilled in the tobacco planter.
A8 The tobacco planter at the end of the row, tractor driven by Franklin A. Robinson, Sr.
A9-10 Loading tobacco plants into the planter.
A11 Bert Henson and Rosie Kyler loading tobacco plants onto the planter for transplanting.
A12 Looking north, the trailer used to haul tobacco plants (left) and the trailer used to haul fertilizer. Chalk Point power generating plant in the background.
A13 Looking east, (left to right) Dale Young, Rosie Kyler, Carlo White and Bert Henson waiting to begin transplanting.
A14 Dale Young, Rosie Kyler, Carlo White and Bert Henson transplanting.
A15 A wider view of A14.
A16 A Styrofoam flat of Maryland Type 32 tobacco plants. (Plants were grown on contract for Serenity Farm by Buddy Hance of Calvert County, Maryland.)
A17-18 An empty Styrofoam flat and a full flat of Maryland Type 32 tobacco plants.
A19 Flats of tobacco plants loaded onto the trailer for hauling.
A20 A Maryland Type 32 tobacco plant ready to be transplanted.
A21 An International 484 tractor pulling a four seat tobacco planter with water tank and fertilizer attachments driven by Franklin A. Robinson, Sr.
A22 Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. seated on the tractor, replanting in the background.
A23-24 Replanting missed tobacco plants.
A24a/25 Bert Henson replanting.
Sheet B, photographed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr. and Adina T. Robinson
B0 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance.
B1 A field of tobacco after cultivation
B2 A close-up of B1.
B3 Adina T. Robinson cultivating tobacco on an 1942 International H tractor with a shade umbrella attached.
B4 A close-up of B3.
B5 A rear view of B3.
B6 Looking west, Adina T. Robinson cultivating tobacco on an International H tractor with a shade umbrella attached.
B7 Looking south-west, Rosie Kyler, Dale Young and Bert Henson grassing tobacco after the field has been tractor cultivated.
B8 A view of the tobacco field looking north-west, the farm buildings and houses are in the distance.
B9 A closer view of B7.
B10 Stefan Brown topping tobacco.
B11 A field of tobacco in full flower prior to topping.
B12-14 Stefan Brown topping tobacco.
B15-16 Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. spraying tobacco with MG-30 for sucker control and Orthene for worm control, after the tobacco has been topped. He is riding a DeCloet sprayer.
B17 A topped and sprayed field of tobacco looking south.
B18-21 Looking south, Virginia L. Robinson driving the stick trailer, Joseph F. Vermillion and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. dropping tobacco sticks along the layrows of cut tobacco.
B22 Virginia L. Robinson driving the tractor pulling the stick trailer.
B23 Looking west, loading speared tobacco onto a trailer to be hauled to the tobacco curing barn. An International 3788 tractor is pulling the trailer.
B24-25 Bert Henson, Willard White and Stefan Brown loading speared tobacco on the trailer to be hauled to the tobacco curing barn.
Sheet C, photographed by Adina T. Robinson
C0-1 Bert Henson and Stefan Brown loading tobacco to be hauled to the curing barn.
C2 A wider view of C0-1.
C3 Looking west, cutting tobacco for spearing.
C4 Dale Young, Douglas Brooks, and Bert Henson cutting tobacco for spearing.
C5 Douglas Brooks and Mack Thomas cutting tobacco for spearing.
C6 Mack Thomas, Douglas Brooks and Rosie Kyler cutting tobacco for spearing.
C7 Dale Thomas cutting tobacco for spearing.
C8 The crew loading tobacco to be hauled to the curing barn.
C9-11 Robert D. Robinson cutting tobacco into a layrow for spearing.
C12 Brother Larry Maick and Robert D. Robinson hanging tobacco in the curing barn.
C13 The crew hanging tobacco in the curing barn.
C14 Rosie Kyler (left) and Dale Young hanging tobacco in the curing barn.
C15 Brother Larry Maick hanging tobacco and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. in the curing barn.
C16 The tobacco field, looking east, piles of tobacco waiting to be hauled to the curing barn. At right, the crew is spearing tobacco onto sticks.
C17-19 Bert Henson, Rosie Kyler, Willard White Douglas Brooks and Stefan Brown spearing tobacco.
C20 Bert Henson, Douglas Brooks and Stefan Brown loading tobacco for hauling to the curing barn.
C21 Dale Young and Willard White spearing tobacco.
C22 Rosie Kyler spearing tobacco.
C23 Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. on the last day of harvest, 1999.
C24 Franklin A. Robinson in front of curing tobacco hanging in the curing barn.
Sheet D, photographed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
D0 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance.
D1 A view looking east from the main house of the tobacco fields and farm equipment at Serenity Farm. The Patuxent River is in the distance. Tenant farmer, George W. Morgan's fields and equipment are to the left of the road leading down to the Patuxent River.
D2 A view of the barnyard and main house area from the tobacco field
D3 Looking north-east, a view of the tobacco field after harvest.
D4 Looking north-west, a view of the tobacco field after harvest.
D5 Looking east, a view of the tobacco field after harvest.
D6 Looking north-east, a view of the tobacco field after harvest. A view of the tobacco barns and farm house is in the background.
D7 Left to right, Rosie Kyler, Stefan Brown and April Hart, end of harvest picnic/celebration, 1999
D8 End of harvest picnic/celebration, 1999. Left to right, Russell White, Douglas Brooks, Robert D. Robinson (on phone) and Dale Young
D9-10 Russell White tending the barbecue, end of harvest picnic/celebration, 1999.
D11 Adina T. Robinson and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. making out paychecks for the help.
D12 End of harvest picnic/celebration 1999, Left to right, Dale Young, Adina T. Robinson, Russell White, Stefan Brown, Emory Thomas and Franklin A. Robinson, Sr.
D13 Adina T. Robinson making out the paychecks for the help.
D14 Pallets of tobacco sticks, the curing barn in the background has its windows open to facilitate curing.
D15 A pile of cured tobacco waiting to be stripped.
D16-23 Ambrose "Man" Kyler, Douglas Brooks, Dale Young, Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. and Adina T. Robinson taking down cured tobacco for stripping.
D24 Adina T. Robinson holding up a stick of cured tobacco.
D25 Piles of cured tobacco waiting to be stripped.
D26, D28 Dale Young passing two sticks of cured tobacco to Adina T. Robinson.
D27 Adina T. Robinson packing down sticks of cured tobacco to prevent them from drying out.
D29-30 Stripped and baled tobacco waiting to be taken to market.
D31-32 Peaceable Kingdom? Box Car and Liberty the farm cat and dog.
D33, D35, D37 Dale Young, Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. and Adina T. Robinson taking down sticks of cured tobacco to be stripped.
D34, D36 A view of the curing barn with hanging sticks of cured tobacco.
Sheet E, photographed by Adina T. Robinson, Spring 2000
E0A Hacks of stripped tobacco waiting to be unloaded at the tobacco market/auction warehouse in Waldorf, Charles County, Maryland
E1A-2A Unloading hacks of tobacco at the Waldorf warehouse.
E3A An interior view of the Waldorf tobacco warehouse with hacks of tobacco in the foreground.
E4A A traditional hack of tobacco at the warehouse.
E5A James Bowling (warehouse owner) and Albert Raley at the Waldorf warehouse.
E6A-9A Unloading baled tobacco at the Waldorf warehouse.
E10A Weighing baled tobacco at the Waldorf warehouse. Left to right, uniden., George H. Morgan and James Bowling.
E11A George H. Morgan and James Bowling at the scales, Waldorf warehouse.
E12A A view of the Waldorf warehouse, baled tobacco in the foreground.
E13A An interior view of the Waldorf warehouse, baled tobacco on the left, hacked hands of tobacco on the right.
E14A Rosie Kyler and Dale Young stripping tobacco at Serenity Farm.
E15A Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. making cotton string ties for baling tobacco.
E16A Rosie Kyler stripping tobacco.
E17A Hauling a pallet of cured tobacco to the stripping room.
E18A The stripping room filled with cured tobacco waiting to be stripped.
E19A Baled tobacco and a stick pallet in the barn.
E20A-21A The hydraulic tobacco baler in the stripping room.
E22A Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. bringing a pallet of cured tobacco to be stripped into the stripping room. Pallets hold approximately 1,000 sticks.
E23A-25A Liberty and Box Car in the stripping room.
Sheet F, photographed by Adina T. Robinson, Spring 2000
F0 Dale Young baling stripped tobacco leaves.
F1-3 Joseph F. Vermillion, Dale Young baling stripped tobacco leaves.
F4-5 Dale Young and Rosie Kyler taking cured tobacco off the stick to be stripped.
F6 Mack Thomas stripping tobacco leaves off the stalk.
F7 Dale Young baling stripped tobacco leaves.
F8-10 Tobacco auction at the tobacco warehouse in Hughesville, Charles County, Maryland.
F11 A bale of Serenity Farm tobacco with weight ticket and buyers tag at the Hughesville tobacco warehouse.
F12 A row of baled Serenity Farm tobacco with weight tickets and buyers tags at the Hughesville tobacco warehouse.
F13 A proud grower, Franklin A. Robinson, Sr. with some of his tobacco on the auction floor at the Hughesville warehouse.
F14-22 Auctioning off tobacco at the Hughesville warehouse, Gilbert Bowling left, followed by Walter Wilkerson, auctioneer.
F23-25 Views of the Hughesville tobacco warehouse.

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Revised:  September 6, 2001