Figure 1.--This boy had his portrait taken, we think in the 1890s. He was from Harrodsburg, Kentucky. There is a name written at the bottom of the portrait, but it is difficult to make out--something like B. Mayoffice. The fact that the boy is barefoot for a formal portrait shows that going barefoot was not seen as a sign of poverty or casual dress. We do not see many sduch portraits, however, before the 1890s.

HBC has little actual information about the tendency of children to go barefoot. We have begun, however, to collect some information on this. Going barefoot was common for American boys in the 19th century. As 19th century shoes could be uncomfortable, many boys appear to have preferred going barefoot in the summer. There are many literaty references to this. Several factors affected the tendencybof children to go barefoot and all of these factors varied over time. Interestingly, we seem to see more of these barefoot portraits in the 1890s and 1900s than before or after. We are not sure why. We do not believe that going barefoot was more common than in the early- and mid-19th century. It was probably less common for a variety of reasons (urbanization, higher incomes, more comfortable shoes, ect.). We believe we see more brefoot images because we supect two factors at play. One was the declining cost of a photographic portrait. The other was that there were more oportunities, such as itinerate photographers and studios set up in places like county fairs. A good example is the Kemp brothers in 1898. Going barefoot declined as America became more urban, especially after World War II. An American reader writes, "Something I think can be added to the discussion in the footwear section of why Americans stopped going barefoot in the summer is that in the summer paved roads and sidewalks can get too hot to walk comfortably on. When I was about 5 years old, I once made the mistake of walking barefoot on a hot summer day on an asphault driveway and after a few painful steps quickly ran to the side of the driveway where I stepped on a bunch of plant burrs. I think that there was also a lot more concern now about picking up diseases like tetanus and ring worm."

The 18th Century

We believe that boys very commonly wnt barefoot during the 18th century. This is aittle difficult to assess because one of the primary sources is paintings. And for the most part on the well-to-do were painted. We do not see barfoot boys in 18th century paintings. Unfortunatly all the paintings we have found are portraits. We do not yet see genre paintings. Another factor is ckimate. Much of the population was in the North where shoes were required during the winter. The population in the South did not begin to change until air conditioning bean to be common in the mid-20th century.

The 19th Century

Going barefoot was common for American boys in the 19th century. Shoes in the 19th century shoes could be uncomfortable. Many wre made as generic shoes and not specifically for left and right feet. And in the early-19th century America was still very rural. Most families made very little actual cash money and shoes were something thatws not easy to make at home. Many boys appear to have preferred going barefoot in the summer. There are many literaty references to this. Several factors affected the tendency of children to go barefoot and all of these factors varied over time. We do not see very many boys barefoot in 19th century photography, presumably because most photographs were studio portrait fior which the children were dressed up. Interestingly, we seem to see more of these barefoot portraits in the 1890s and 1900s than before or after. Especially notable are portriats of boys all dressed up in suits, but barefoot. We are not sure why. We do not believe that going barefoot was more common than in the early- and mid-19th century. It was probably less common for a variety of reasons (urbanization, higher incomes, more comfortable shoes, ect.). We believe we see more brefoot images because we supect two factors at play. One was the declining cost of a photographic portrait. The other was that there were more opportunities, such as itinerate photographers and studios set up in places like county fairs. A good example is the Kemp brothers in 1898. Perhaps readers will have some thughts here.

The 20th Century

Going barefott was still very common in the early 20th century for pre-teen boys. In fsact we note more boys going barefoot in the early 20th century than in the 19th century. This probably relects the expanding use of photoraphy more than any change in the tendency of boys to go barefoot. Taking a portrait was beiong seen as less a formal occassion than earlier. The development of the Kodak Brownie and the amateur snapshot may have been factors. We have quite a few images on HBC of boys going barefoot in the 1900s--even when dressing up. A good example is John Conway in 1906. Going barefoot declined as America became more urban, especially after World War II. An American reader writes, "Something I think can be added to the discussion in the footwear section of why Americans stopped going barefoot in the summer is that in the summer paved roads and sidewalks can get too hot to walk comfortably on. When I was about 5, I once made the mistake of walking barefoot on a hot summer day on an asphault driveway and after a few painful steps quickly ran to the side of the driveway where I stepped on a bunch of plant burrs. I think that there was also a lot more concern now about picking up diseases like tetanus and ring worm."

The 21st Century

Going barefoot once so common in America is no longer very common. Many places outside the home ban barefeet including schools. Most public facilities includeing libraries, museums, theaers, stores, and other facikities require footwear. A rare exceoption is beach areas. Even summer camps have the chidren wear shoes or sandals. And children generally prefer shoes (especially sneakers) and sandals. Sandals are much more common than ever before, but going brefoot i much less common. We tend to see girls going barefoot more than boys. We are not sure why, but may reflect the more active life style of boys. We do see younger children going barefoot, but mostly at home or arund home. It probably still is most common in rural areas. While going barefoot is no longer very common, some Americans as well as people in other countries, enjoy going barefoot as a life style choice seeung as away to get closer to nature. One source explains, "Going barefoot is the gentlest way of walking and can symbolise a way of living -- being authentic, vulnerable, sensitive to our surroundings. It's the feeling of enjoying warm sand beneath our toes, or carefully making our way over sharp rocks in the darkness. It's a way of living that has the lightest impact, removing the barrier between us and nature."