Gaines History: Neva’s Album Part 1

The things we create sometimes say a great deal about us. Neva Murray (1904-1983) lived in Childs most of her life. A photo album she put together tells us a good deal about her, and of social life in Gaines and Albion from the mid-1940s to the 1960s.

Neva must have loved weddings. The album contains nothing but photos of brides, grooms, wedding parties and receptions, beginning with the wedding of her daughter Beverly to Eugene Leigh, as well as weddings of relatives and friends. With so many nuptials documented in her album, it is fair to conclude she was an outgoing and social person. And with every vow, Neva came equipped with a camera.

John and Neva Murray, 1925

Luckily for us, Neva took many candid shots, and often identified people in the photos. Some of the folks captured on film passed away years ago, while others still live nearby. Landmarks lurk in some of the backgrounds, making the venue easy to identify. Today, some of the churches look about the same as they did in these photos, while others have changed.

Of course, all these photos lead us to contemplate the similarities and differences compared to weddings today. The bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and tuxes all seem quite familiar, though a few brides chose something other than the standard white gown. While varying in size, the wedding cakes, too, look familiar. What really stands out in these photos are the receptions. Most were held at people’s homes – outdoors, if the weather was warm, or in church basements. The D.A.R. house was also popular for such gatherings.

In upcoming articles, I will share photos from Neva’s album, highlighting people and places as they were sixty or seventy years ago. Of course, with this series, it only seems fitting to include Neva’s own wedding photo.

(Adrienne Kirby is the Gaines town historian.)