As a final farewell to summer (*sniff*) I thought I’d post some amazing panoramic images from the Library of Congress, showing bathing beauties from the “aughts,” teens, and twenties. But then I realized there were no people of color in any of these images. In those days, beaches were segregated. I quickly discovered that it’s really hard to find pictures of people of color frolicking on beaches.

Finally, though, I found this cool picture. It’s from a 1930 YMCA camp, and I got permission to post it from the National Museum of American History. My favorite is the girl on the far right. Also the kid with the ball, third from right.

Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Used with permission

Here are the panoramic pictures. I love the bathing suits, the varied and lovely bodies that are completely innocent of gym workouts, and the delight you see in the subjects’ faces. I think you can click on each one to see it in close-up, and I urge you to do so.

Happy end of summer, all!