Shake, Rattle 'n' Roll: Laurel in the 1950s
Come Explore a Community in Transition.
In 1950 the population of the City of Laurel numbered just over 4,000. The residents went to Main Street to shop and to spend time with friends and neighbors. The schools were segregated and so largely was the community.
During the 1950s changes in society shook basic beliefs and fears rattled the status quo. As Laurel rolled into the future its residents found their lives shifting in many ways. By 1960, Laurel’s population doubled to over 8,000. The social and commercial center was no longer Main Street. The shiny new Shopping Center on Route 1 became the place to shop and socialize.
What happened to Laurel between 1950 and 1960? How did national trends affect Laurel? Why did the town change so drastically? Join us as we explore Laurel in the 1950s, a community in transition.
Click Here for Pictures of the Exhibit
Share YOUR story with US!
The Laurel Historical Society is interested in hearing YOUR story about the 1950s.
Whether you lived in Laurel or you lived somewhere else, we want to hear from YOU!
If you weren't alive in the 1950s but you'd like to share what you've heard from your parents, grandparents, movies, television and more, we also want to hear from YOU!
Download a form to fill out, click here
You can fill the form out and email it back to info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org
OR
You can mail it back to 817 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707.
Read Memories of the 1950s!
Additional Resources on the 1950s:
Step back into the 1950s with the Laurel Historical Society's info sheet! Visit here for more details.
NPR's This I Believe Archive. Containing essays from the 1950s including essays from Jackie Robinson, Harry Truman, Helen Keller and more. Visit here for more details.
AMC's 1950s Film History. Contains extensive information on the history of film in the 1950s. Visit here for more details.
University of Pennsylvania's "The Literature and Culture of the 1950s" website. Lists research tools and additional readings. Visit here for more details.
The Harvard Project on Cold War Studies. Links to various resources on the Cold War. Visit here for more details.
Remember Segregation. Interactive website with a plethora of resources dedicated to the understanding of the realities of segregation. Visit here for more details.