Stereograph

Description

Five Sisters are shown standing and sitting on the steps of the Church Family Office ( ). Seated in front is Sister Florinda Sears. Behind her on the left is Sister Mary Hazard and Sister Tabitha Lapsley. All three of these Sisters are Church Family Deaconesses. The two Sisters standing behind this group are, as yet, unidentified. The view 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 list Alden's views as is found on many of his stereographs.