Mid-Century photo of two elderly women doing the Charleston - $20 (near Chelsea)

Mid-Century photo of two elderly women doing the Charleston 1

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The American Heritage Magazine began in 1947 as a specialized pictorial history magazine and went mainstream two years later. The articles covered everything from customs from around the world as well as current trends in the U.S.

One of the national stories involved women’s health and fitness. A women’s fitness class was offered in Boston, at Curtis Hall. Over a hundred women, most elderly, enrolled in a physical training class.

Curtis Hall was originally built in 1868 and became a Boston city property in 1874. The building burned down in 1908 and was rebuilt to include a gymnasium and a “swimming tank.” Residents could go for a swim downstairs or the gym upstairs.

This photo was actually used in the magazine in one of its issues.It shows two elderly women (mother and her mother?) doing the Charleston. Check out the old radiator pipes on the left. On the back is a description to help staff writers write the article.

The photo measures 5 3/4 x 7 3/4. It has some faint crinkles , but could be easily pressed down to fit into a 6 x 8 frame.

Please excuse the crude watermarks, but I’ve had too many folds “borrow” my original photos to make reproductions.

post id: 7932181264

posted: 2026-05-04 19:42

updated: 2026-06-05 21:22

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Mid-Century photo of two elderly women doing the Charleston -...

The American Heritage Magazine began in 1947 as a specialized pictorial history magazine and went mainstream two years later. The articles covered everything from customs from around the world as...