OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – The Oshkosh Public Museum has an exhibit designed to shed light on a man who helped shape American history—Lewis Hine of Oshkosh.
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Famous for his raw and moving photos, Hine captured images of a dark piece of history, the child labor issues of the early 20th century.
“He crossed the country documenting children working in factories and farm fields, some as young as four years old, exposed to very harsh conditions,” Museum curator Emily Rock said.
Hines images were published in magazines, shown in lectures and used in exhibits throughout the country by the National Child Labor Committee, to raise awareness and pressure lawmakers to act.
“Hine played a role in bringing awareness to the issue of child labor,” Rock said. “It really brought a growing consciousness to the general public that maybe we should do something about this.”
As an Oshkosh native, he saw child labor in local factories, also experiencing it firsthand as a young boy working multiple jobs to support his family.
“There was child labor here in Oshkosh with 8 and 9-year-olds working heavy machinery and in factories,” Rock said.
Hine continued to photograph workers after the Child Labor Act was passed in 1938, sharing the story of American growth in various industries.
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“He also really respected workers and considered them important to American really,” Rock said. “America couldn’t be the country it was without people working all these different jobs.”
Hines’ son donated his father’s belongings to the Oshkosh Public Museum decades later, where others can learn about the Man Behind the Camera until January 2027.
