I don’t know much about this photo, but based on the hair styles, the clothing, and the pen in the pocket of the guy in the front, I’d estimate it was taken some time in early August 1956.
I’m not sure if this photo is a candid shot taken by a family member or something a little more professionally done. Everyone seems way too happy for it to be candid, but it was the summer of 1956, which was a pretty happy time, so that might explain the smiles. The image also reminds me of Norman Rockwell’s iconic “Freedom from Want” (the Thanksgiving dinner painting).
As a watermelon lover, I can appreciate this family’s desire to protect their picnic table by laying down what’s left of the Sunday paper before digging into their juicy snacks. The only time I’ve ever done that is when I carve watermelon. It worked quite well, if I remember correctly, although I used a Tuesday paper.
And correct me if I’m wrong, but is that a salt shaker at the end of the table near dad’s right hand? I’m pretty sure it is. Again, I’m not a salt-on-my-watermelon kind of guy, but it’s nice to see evidence that the practice was alive and well in the middle of the 20th century.