Reading DC style through the Scurlock photographs

A neighborhood in photographs

The Scurlock photographic studio was a fixture in Washington’s Shaw area from 1911 to 1994. Smithsonian collection records describe the work of two generations of photographers, including Addison Scurlock and his sons. Their photographs documented people and institutions in Washington, including Howard University. The National Museum of American History preserves the Scurlock Studio Collection and has used it to explore the history of Black Washington.

Look with care

A portrait can invite close attention to a hairstyle, a part, a neckline, or the balance between hair and clothing. It cannot tell you everything about the person in it. Read the caption, date, and collection description before drawing conclusions. Avoid assigning a profession, personality, or political belief from appearance alone. A useful historical reading begins with what the archive actually identifies and leaves room for what remains unknown.

Build a reference board with a purpose

Choose three portraits from a collection with clear captions. For each, write down one visible detail that interests you. Be specific: a rounded silhouette, a distinct side part, a close shape at the sides, or a beard’s outline. Then add a current photograph of your own hair, taken with your permission in good light. Comparing shapes can help you explain an idea while keeping the conversation grounded in your own starting point.

Turn inspiration into a consultation

Show your barber the detail you like rather than asking for an exact copy of an entire photograph. Discuss length, texture, styling time, and how the shape should grow out. If you plan to publish an archival image, review its rights and reproduction information first. For personal exploration, begin with the Smithsonian’s collection descriptions and follow the records to learn more about the people and places behind the picture.

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