Stereograph

Description

This photograph of the Church Family Dwelling (1875) was taken within a few years of its construction. The devastating fire of 1875 made it necessary for the Shakers to construct a new dwelling. The was made and sold by A. J. Alden in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1879. From the Berkshire County Eagle we have the following: "The Shakers are being photographed by Alden. He has made 25 or more negatives of groups, buildings and scenery in Lebanon, and the Shakers are to sell stereoscopic views to the hundreds who visit their settlements." [BCE. 51(August 28, 1879): [2], and "Alden's Shaker views which are for sale at Nugent's newsroom, show groups of brethren and sisters in the quaint costumes and they will be interesting additions to stereoscopic collections. One group has Elder Evans in the center with leading members of the fraternity around him. [BCE. 51(September 11, 1879): [2]. This card does not have the listing of views of "Shaker Village, Mt. Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y." that appears on some other Alden stereographs but is inscribed, "Chh. Dwelling from South East -- Mount--Lebanon," probably in Henry Clough handwriting.