During the Winter of 1936, photographer Russell Lee made his way through the Midwest photographing the impacts of the Great Depression on daily life.  On one of his stops in rural Iowa, he met a tenant farmer named Earl Pauley and was invited to visit his home for Christmas.  

The following photos provide a rare, authentic look in to the life of a family that was just barely making it.  Earl was a renter on this 185 acre farm, and he built the house himself after the first one burned down a few years earlier.  He and his wife had four young children and a new baby.  Despite times being tough for them, they still managed to have a proper Christmas dinner and managed to even invite a guest.  

The home of Earl Pauley.  He built it himself after the first one burned down.  

Two of Earl's children look out the window of the small, dug-in house.  If you look closely, you'll see the wall's are constructed by varying layers of wood and cardboard for insulation.

Earl's family had recently welcomed a new member.  No fancy cribs back then!

Mrs. Earl and her children in the doorway of their home.  Earl had constructed the house to withstand the big Midwest wind and weather, so the only way to get some breeze in the house was to open the front door.  

Three of the Pauley girls.  It looks like their dresses were most likely made out of the patterned flour sacks often used at the time. 

No fancy doll houses back then, but it's nice to know that they did grow up with dolls - even if they had to play with them in a tumbleweed!

 Time for Christmas Dinner!  It wasn't much -- potatoes, cabbage, and pie -- but it was a big event nonetheless.  Notice the littlest one standing on a wooden box to get up to the food.

Mr. Pauley taking a moment to join his children.  There wasn't a Christmas tree or nicely-wrapped presents, but back then people were simply happy to be there together and for any food that did show up on the table.  

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