The color and quality of these old family slides is a bit faded but thought I'd post them anyway, simply because they illustrate the universal joy and happiness of a young couple in love with a new baby. Taken in the spring of 1951 at Uncle Jack and Aunt Ruth's place in Oyster Bay Cove. Mom and Dad are visiting with baby Paul. Accompanying them is Dad and Uncle Jack's mom, our Irish grandmother. The beaming grins on their faces tell the story.
Mom and Dad left their apartment in Jamaica, Queens, picked up Mom/Nana/Nance in Sea Cliff, and drove out to Oyster Bay Cover on Long Island for a family day in "the country." Mom and Dad told us about beautiful, bucolic Long Island before the massive over-development began shortly after these photos were taken.
Dad picks flowers in a nearby meadow to present to Mom, relaxing in a lounge chair next to blooming irises. Nana Butler, sporting a sprig of hyacinth on her jacket, is obviously in love with her first grandchild. Little did she know there were five more to come! Then there is gentle soul Uncle Jack, who no doubt staged all these photos, and glamorous Aunt Ruth, always well-dressed.
Most likely this is Easter, although we can't be sure. They were well-dressed for any outing. The shot of Dad leaning against the fence strikes me as myself at the same age.
Still standing in its bucolic setting, the house is unfortunately deserted, unkempt, in disrepair. The wrap-around front porch collapsed a few years back. But if its forlorn walls could talk they might tell of a delightful spring day when a happy family gathered in the joy of their firstborn, seventy years ago.
And let's not forget the roadsters . . .
Or the beautiful bay, across the street.
And the proud father, beginning his legacy.
Peter Butler
Ed. by Pat Butler
With thanks to Tom Butler for unearthing these slides and building a home scanner to send us more family history and treasure.
