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I wonder if this photo was taken by G. W. Ackerman ... rather than G. D. (or maybe just a typo) George W. Ackerman "During a nearly 40-year career with the Department of Agriculture, George W. Ackerman (1884-1962) estimated that he took over 50,000 photographs. Ackerman began working as a photographer for the Bureau of Plant Industry in 1910 at a salary of $900 a year. In 1917 he moved to the Federal Extension Service, and in that position, he traveled around the country photographing rural life. His photographs appeared in many private and Government agricultural publications, although they were not usually credited to him." – National Archives

Good catch Pixel Wrangler! I checked the back of the photo, where I found "GD Ackerman" -- but when I looked on the backs of the other photos in the folder they all said GW. Tiah

ew worst pic ever!

Happy people !

Penny presents an excellent question. What is this woman holding? Perhaps Karon is right... could it be a celluloid frame purse? I'll shoot this one back to our brilliant archivists and researchers, see what we come up with! Thanks, Susannah Smithsonian Institution Archives

The Archives' scuttlebutt is that it may be a camera. Possibly a folding camera? According to our research associate, Marcel Chotkowski LaFollette, the Knights had a comfortable living; this might be some new model. She also mentioned his badge indicates that they were attending an annual meeting of one of the scientific societies, so this was the type of occasion for snapshots. May check in with our colleagues and experts at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. I'll certainly follow up if new insights emerge. In the meantime, I pose the question back to you . . . what do you think?? Also, who is that lovely creature bearing such a warm and dimply grin? Susannah Smithsonian Institution Archives

It looks like a cigarette roling machine. I bought one once at an antique store and took forever to figure out what it was.

Great set for Women's History Month!