While most of our classmates focused on the older generations of Steelton, we realized that the younger generations were just as important. We knew that we could learn a lot about the town from the children. Childhood is the time when one’s values, belief systems and world views are formed. By exploring the people, places and activities that are important to children, our goal was to discover their perspectives on growing up in Steelton. So we set out to listen to the children’s stories and see the town through their eyes.
Our project…
In focusing on the children grew up in Steelton, we needed a way to see the town through their eyes. As strangers to their worlds, how could we really experience or understand their lives? The two of us sat with our professor bouncing ideas off of one another. Somewhere in our brainstorm, lightening flashed and an idea was born.
The Boys and Girls Club on Front Street seemed the most logical place for our research. It provides after-school care for over 300 children from Steelton, which allowed us to explore the collective experience of growing up in this small steel mill town. Although there used to be many parks in Steelton, as of the 1990s, there are very few parks for the children to play in.* As Tyrell, one of the children, told us, “No [there are not enough places for us to play]. Not really, not always. But normally we have to get used to it and play anyway, so they will probably build another park.” In a town that has been hit hard by deindustrialization, the median household income is $28,131. Of the 1,107 children under the age of 18, 11% are below poverty level. So, when the Boys and Girls Clubhouse opened in 1999, it provided a great service for children from the Borough of Steelton.
We approached the director with our ideas and were readily accepted and encouraged. The next week we followed through with our plans. Ten children were selected to take us on a tour of Steelton. Each child was given a disposable camera and was asked to take photographs of the people, places and things that meant the most to them. Some children took their cameras home and photographed their rooms, toys, family members, friends and pets. Photos were taken of the director of the Club, Steelton-Highspire Elementary School, a park up the street, and places ranging from a pizza shop to the steel mill to the view from the Locust Street steps. Once the film was developed, we asked the children about the significance of each of their photographs. We got some very interesting and insightful answers, some of which can be seen in our section about “the kids.”
All facts provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the 1990 U.S. Census: http://factfinder.census.gov
*Although many of the children talked about going to the park, these might not be the same parks that most people think of. They speak of small parks, many without grass, and just one or two pieces of playground equipment. In saying there are no parks in Steelton, we are referring to the fact that the Borough does not have any large, grassy areas where many children can safely play. For an example, see the photo of “the park” on Laurence’s page found on “the kids” page.
History and Facts The Kids Reflections The Gallery
This project was brought to you by
American Mosaic
Dickinson College
Dana Macphee, class of 2004
Lisa Wheeler, class of 2003