Craftsperson with a Hammer

This unidentified craftsperson likely fled with his cross-peen hammer from the area around Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, as Confederate General Robert E. Lee crossed into Franklin County toward Gettysburg. Like countless other Black craftspeople, the surviving records of this man are sparse, yet the proud display of his cross-peen hammer and the uncompromising look on his face invite us to reflect on his life and experiences building a free nation for all.