Local History: Groton Farm Security Administration Dorms

Some of the best photographs taken of American life were taken by the Farm Security Administration. These three pictures display the dormitories for single workers from EB and other defense activities in the area.

Picture 1. Marion Post Wolcott, photographer.?Dormitories for workers in defense industries. Near electric boat works plant, Groton, Connecticut. Constructed and managed by FSA Farm Security Administration. United States, Groton, CT, June 1941. Photograph.?https://www.loc.gov/item/2017806978/.

The dorm was an inconspicuous building, slightly raised, with electricity running to it. Assuming a symmetrical design, a center area that served as a foyer/recreation room, and each man had his own room, these could house about twenty-four men. This was based on the six windows estimate on the right, assuming the rooms had one window each and were on both sides of a center hallway.

Picture 2: Marion Post Wolcott, photographer.?Workers from electric boat company in recreation room of new dormitory for workers in defense industries. Groton, Connecticut. Constructed and managed by FSA Farm Security Administration. United States, Groton, CT, June 1941. Photograph.?https://www.loc.gov/item/2017806991/.

Workers appeared to have their own spartan rooms, which contained a bed with a spring mattress, a small light at the head, a dresser with “FSA” imprinted on the side, and a stool. It was cozy for a single man. It is unknown if these were also provided by the FSA or personal property. Smoking indoors can be seen in both indoor photographs and was likely an acceptable occurrence.

Picture 3: Marion Post Wolcott, photographer.?Workers from electric boat company plant in recreation room of new dormitory for workers in defense industries. Groton, Connecticut. Constructed and managed by FSA Farm Security Administration. United States, Groton, CT, June 1941. Photograph.?https://www.loc.gov/item/2017806997/.

The recreation room was equally spartan, with two tables and eight fold-up chairs. Men talking, smoking and looking through magazines give a congenial atmosphere. The only furnishing on the wall in either picture is a fire-axe, likely a utilitarian choice and not an aesthetic one. It was somewhat cramped, but the men are mostly smiling and appear to be at ease. They are dressed in working class attire, but many with coiffured hair. This is estimated to be May-June of 1941, many of these men had experienced the Great Depression and appeared to be content with their environment.

These had an element of propaganda, the men smiling were potentially staged with the goal of recreating the authenticity of their every day lives.[1] While not as authentic as the unstaged photos of traffic and the bustle of humanity leaving during shift change, these can be used for a multitude of purposes.[2] Some questions remain such as:

1. How did married men in the area and their families live?
2. How did one apply for housing and how much did it cost?
3. All the men in this photo appear to be what is now considered white; was that by design or a reflection of the workplace?
4. What were the alternatives to dormitory housing?
5. What was in the local area to for leisure activities?

To any who read this, does this raise further questions I have not addressed yet? Please share your thoughts.

References Cited:

[1] Carlebach, Michael L. “Documentary and Propaganda: The Photographs of the Farm Security Administration.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts Vol. 8 (1988): 6–25. https://doi.org/10.2307/1503967.

[2] See also: Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/pictures/related/?fi=subject&q=United%20States--Connecticut--New%20London%20County--Groton.