Tableaux were all the rage at the turn of the century. They were called Tableaux vivants, or living pictures, in which staged scenes were performed to recreate motionless works of art. They were common in pageants, women’s colleges, and civic festivals from the 1900s through the 1920s. Many tableaux were often Grecian-themed and used a draped style for the dancers’ costumes. This symbolized purity, beauty, and artistic freedom. Outdoor scenes like the one below were chosen to evoke pastoral ideals and connect performers to the natural world.

Here we have a photo from Cousin Jean Bourscheidt’s photo album. A group of women who gathered at Sunnyside, the Gauss’ farm. Standing we have Lucy B Way, Edith P Stone, Julia Proctor White, Elizabeth Way, Florence Raymond. Kneeling is an unknown woman, Mrs Gauss, and our cousin Jean Bourscheidt.

I gather that Julia Proctor White is the leader, as her dress is a different color than the others and she is prominently featured in several of the photos. So I did some research on who Julia Proctor White is. She was born in 1875 and lived until 1968. She was a civic and cultural leader in Peoria whose work influenced Peoria’s arts and women’s movements. She began her professional career as a kindergarten teacher and became vice president of the Peoria Free Kindergarten Association. She helped establish public kindergartens in Peoria in 1907. I am sure that is where her path crossed with cousin Jean.

Julia also had many civic and cultural contributions in addition to her work to establish kindergartens in schools. She worked with the Florence Crittenton Home, supporting women and children in need. She helped found the Peoria Women’s Civic Federation and in 1955 wrote its 50-year history manuscript. She was the first president of the League of Women Voters following the passing of the 19th Amendment. Prior to this, she had been a member of the Equal Suffrage Association. She also served as Director of the Peoria Players Theater and was an advocate for community performances.

Cousin Jean didn’t add any words that included what she thought of these photos or how it had all come together. But I hope she enjoyed her time with this dance group and has many fond memories of a time when Tableaux vivants were all the rage, and this form of dance was new and exciting.

I think Cousin Jean is the 2nd individual on the left