Here's another set of barbecue photos from the collection of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) photo archive. These were shot in 1940 by photojournalist Russell Lee at a free community barbecue picnic on Labor Day in Ridgway, Colorado.

After my blog post last week on FSA images of Texas BBQ, I spent some more time going through their photo archive searching "barbecue." I found an amazing set of color photos from a community BBQ in New Mexico, also shot in 1940 by Russell Lee, a rarity as almost all FSA images were shot on black & white film. I'll put up several more posts of these historic photos in the coming months.

You can click here to see a slideshow of some of the more famous FSA depression era photos on flicker.

Getting barbecue and coffee at the free barbecue at Ridgway, Colorado, on Labor Day.

 

Slicing barbecue at the free barbecue on Labor Day at Ridgway, Colorado.

 

Ringing the gong for dinner at the free barbecue, Labor Day, Ridgway, Colorado.

 

Serving the barbecue at the free barbecue on Labor Day, Ridgway, Colorado.

 

Barbecue pits and people standing in line to be served at the free barbecue at Labor Day, Ridgway, Colorado.

 

Untitled

 

Barbecue pit on Labor Day, Ridgway, Colorado.

 

Boys' sack race, Labor Day celebration, Ridgway, Colorado.

 

Spectators at childrens' races, Labor Day celebration, Ridgway, Colorado.

 

Woman and her baby waiting in line for barbecue on Labor Day at Ridgway, Colorado.