While the adults of the Haushalter adults approached the harvest with the focused intent of competitors, the children experienced it as a landscape of play and wonder. In this candid moment from circa 1960, twof of Charles Haushalter's grandchildren are nestled among the very same prize-winning squash destined for the Erie County Fair. The massive, pale gourds and sun-colored golden delicious squash seem almost larger than the children themselves, creating a scene where the bounty of the land serves as both a playground and a backdrop for a rising generation.
From left to right, Anna Stunick Haushalter, Lydia Pfitzinger Haushalter, William Haushalter, ?, Ada Gallman Haushalter, George Haushalter, Fred Haushalter, Jack Geuting and Louise Haushalter Geuting; seated, Louise Gallman and Mary Louise Heinrich Haushalter; family photo c. 1917; in farmyard by barn, spring or summer
Doris Haushalter and two other children sit on running board of Bill Haushalter's 1920 Dodge with Charles and Anna Haushalter and Minnie Stunick standing left, William and Walter Haushalter right c. early 1920s
June and Carl stand in a bed of flowers during the summer in front of a stand of trees c. 1930; June is in a light sleeveless dress, Carl in shorts, a white shirt and tall socks
June holds a cat in her arms while Carl is turned toward her, hands also on the cat; Prospect Lawn Cemetery in Hamburg can be seen in the far distance; Haushalter farm c. 1930, spring since the fields are plowed but bare
June and Al stand with a caught fish held by Al between them; June has on trousers, a short-sleeve blouse and scarf or bandana around her neck, c. 1938
In this luminous studio portrait, we see June Augusta Haushalter (1920–2024) on the cusp of adulthood. Captured around 1940, the image reflects the poise of a young woman who had recently stood as valedictorian of Hamburg High School and was preparing for a career in education. There is a palpable sense of optimism in her expression—a bright, upward gaze that seems to look toward a future beyond the familiar landscapes of the Water Valley farm. The soft lighting and classic styling of her blouse ground the moment in the era of the early 1940s, preserving the vitality of a woman who would go on to navigate the profound shifts of the mid-century with grace and resilience.
In this formal studio portrait, June Augusta Haushalter (1920–2024) is presented with the polished elegance characteristic of early 1940s glamour photography. The image has been meticulously hand-tinted, adding a soft rose glow to her cheeks and lips that breathes life into the silver gelatin print. It captures a moment of poised transition, where the daughter of the Water Valley farm is momentarily recast in the soft, romantic light of mid-century elegance, standing on the threshold of her professional life.
