I think it's neat to see older machines in their native habitat, so to speak. It's cool to see a little featherweight, tucking itself so neatly into someone's life. These times are from before my time, so it's a window into a world I didn't live in.
Makes me wonder if any photos of either of my grandmothers AT their sewing machines exist. They both always had machines out 24/7, even my gran who lived in a single-wide trailer - she had a large industrial Singer in a table at the foot of her bed. (my aunt has it now) Sewing was a HUGE part of both of their lives, yet I don't think I've ever seen a photo of either of them sitting at their machines. I should ask my aunts to look.