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Welcome to Chester County Photographist – your go to resource for information on the history of photography in Chester County, Pennsylvania 1839-1900.
Earlier Posts
We Call it Commuting Today
Commuting was not something that you did in 1855. But two members of the Valentine family did what looked like commuting in their day. Photographer…
Golden Age of the CDV
Chester County Photographist is celebrating its first anniversary! First and foremost, we want to send a shoutout of thanks to Cap Web Solutions for doing…
West Chester Centennial Photo Frenzy
West Chester’s Centennial in October of 1899 was a photographer’s dream. The town celebrated in a big way. Colorful bunting decorated all the businesses and…
Of Dentists and Daguerreians
Chester County had three photographers who were also dentists. What is it about this combination of skills that makes it a logical paring of pursuits?…
Unexpected Glimpse into a Gallery
It is gruesome to say, but photographers who got into financial troubles left a richer paper trail than those who were sober and industrious. Poor…
A Con Man Strikes Oxford
A con man is successful if he can get his mark to believe in an alternative reality. It was not hard for Louis Prevaust to…
Daguerreotyping the Magical Fountain
As we all tire of the cold dreary days of winter many in the southeastern Pennsylvania region enjoy visiting the Philadelphia Flower Show. First we…
How Old is That Tintype?
I was thrilled to find this gem-sized tintype on a carte-de-visite mount chock full of information on photographer C. Alfred Garrett. The label includes a…
Tales from the Archives
I am excited to feature new research by a guest author on Chester County Photographist. Today I am introducing Rebecca Oviedo, a professional archivist and…
Levi Crowl’s Southern Career Revealed
Announcing an enlarged and greatly revised biography of photographer Levi Crowl! This West Chester photographer, like many northern photographers, migrated south for the winter. He…
The Mysterious Death of John Odiorne
The research never ends. Just when you think you are at the end of the paper trail, something new surfaces. Take the case of photographer…
Obscure Photo Finds
How do I find all the names of nineteenth century photographers for this study? Of course I use sources such as newspaper advertisements, directory listings,…
Chester County Photographist News
I am pleased to announce that my article “Visual Memories of Chester County” is featured in the latest edition of Chester County Ledger published by…
Career Choices for Women in the 1850s
What if a woman had no interest in marriage and child rearing? What were the choices available in “woman’s sphere” as defined by society during…
Daguerreotype Jewelry in West Chester!
I was excited to find this advertisement for H. B. Freeman’s daguerreotype gallery in addition to his jewelry and watch business. I think it is…
Fancy Footers
Did you know about the useful search tools on the footer of Chester County Photographist website? Probably not. I can relate. I am the most…
How to use the Working Dates List
Here is a handy tool for assigning a date for a nineteenth century photograph. If you are working on your genealogy or local history project,…
Passing the Baton
John B. Gibson was the town photographer for Coatesville, operating his studio from 1868 to 1897. Innovations in the 1890s were vastly changing the styles…
John Gibson, Family Man
One thing that really impressed me about Coatesville’s long-time photographer John Gibson, was that he was a real family man. He and his first wife…
Crayon Artists and Steel Workers
Ella Bentz Smith of Coatesville It was exciting to find an entry for a crayon artist in the Boyd’s Chester County Pennsylvania Directory for 1896-97!…
Time for the County Fair
It was always an exciting time. So much preparation went into getting ready to exhibit your prize cow, vegetables and homemade pies and jams. Besides…
Of Stereographs And Ambrotypes
Stereographer S. R. Fisher visits West Chester
Those indispensable Assistants?
Discovery of hidden photographer names in a tax list document.
Why are tax lists so important to this study?
One of the best tools I discovered to refine a photographer’s working dates was a thorough review of the local tax lists. By looking at…
Where is Chester County?
Chester County is situated twenty-five miles west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in verdant rolling hills. It was one of the original three counties in William Penn’s…
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