Louis L. McAllister Photographs
Collection Overview
Louis L. McAllister photographed people and places near Burlington, Vermont for 60 years. He was born in Columbus, Nebraska on October 16, 1876, the son of Julius S. McAllister (born 1841 in Lincoln, VT) and Rosette Gould (born in Vermont in 1851)...
Show moreLouis L. McAllister photographed people and places near Burlington, Vermont for 60 years. He was born in Columbus, Nebraska on October 16, 1876, the son of Julius S. McAllister (born 1841 in Lincoln, VT) and Rosette Gould (born in Vermont in 1851). Julius McAllister worked as a photographer and dentist in Washington D.C., Bristol, Vermont and Columbus, Nebraska. Around 1895, Julius, his third wife Amy, and their children left Nebraska for the Union Soldiers’ Colony in Fitzgerald, Georgia. By 1900, Julius and Amy were divorced, and Amy and her stepson Louis were working as photographers in Thomasville, Georgia.
In 1907 Louis McAllister married Cora Shepard (born about 1872 in Vermont) in Holland, Michigan. By 1910, they were living in Queen City Park in South Burlington, Vermont, where Louis established a photography studio. The McAllisters moved to Burlington, and by 1919 they lived at 47 N. Winooski Avenue. They continued to occupy a summer cottage at Queen City Park, and were active in the Queen City Park Association, which held spiritualist camp meetings annually. McAllister conducted his photography business from home until his death in 1963.
McAllister’s “trademark” was his panorama camera which made him familiar to all sorts of groups ranging from graduating classes to state police to summer camp groups. In addition he did print 8 x 10 photos, many of which document building construction and Burlington Street Department projects, as well as group and individual portraits.
The L.L. McAllister Collection includes portraits, construction projects, buildings, businesses and events in the Burlington area covering the period ca. 1920-1960. The collection also includes photos of street, bridge, airport and sewer construction and repair, as well as group portraits of clubs, schools, etc.
Revised April, 2010
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Related Archival Collection
Pages
- Title
- McAllister Memorabilia
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Formal portrait in an oval frame of a very young child seated holding a small plush teddy bear.
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- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
- Description
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont assembled inside perhaps in the Burlington City Hall auditorium. May have been taken at the Vermont Music Festival. Photo #2.
- Title
- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
- Description
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont standing on the steps of the Burlington City Hall in Burlington. May have been taken at the Vermont Music Festival. Photo #1.
- Title
- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont standing on the steps of the Burlington City Hall in Burlington. Photo #4.
- Title
- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont assembled inside perhaps in the Burlington City Hall auditorium. May have been taken at the Vermont Music Festival. Photo #1
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- Milton Elementary School
- Description
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1945 Milton Elementary School class portrait with their teacher. Photo #20.
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- Mount St. Mary's Academy - May Crowning
- Description
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1953 photo of young women and two children standing near the crowned statue of the Virgin Mary. They are in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mount St. Mary's Academy and are participants in the religious ritual called May Crowning. Photo #1.
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- Mount St. Mary's Academy - May Crowning
- Description
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1945 photo of young adults and children at Mount St. Mary's Academy posed for a group portrait. Photo #1.
- Title
- Mt. St. Mary's Convent
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Children seated in pews during catechism class in a chapel, with a Sister of Mercy (left) calling on children to stand and recite, very likely in preparation for First Communion. Girls have their heads covered, in adherence to Church teaching of the time. Is this also Sacred Heart Chapel? Photo...
Show moreChildren seated in pews during catechism class in a chapel, with a Sister of Mercy (left) calling on children to stand and recite, very likely in preparation for First Communion. Girls have their heads covered, in adherence to Church teaching of the time. Is this also Sacred Heart Chapel? Photo dated 1955.
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- Title
- Musical Ensembles
- Description
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1951 or 1952 photo of a large group of children of varying ages in formal gowns and suits gathered on a stage for a portrait. Photo #2.
- Title
- Musical Ensembles
- Description
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1951 or 1952 photo of a large group of children of varying ages dressed in formal gowns and suits gathered on stage for a portrait. Photo #1.
- Title
- Nazareth School
- Description
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Print from a heavily damaged negative of First Communion at Nazareth School, Burlington. Dated 1949 / 1950. Photo #3.
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- Nazareth School
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Print from a damaged negative of First Communion at Nazareth School, Burlington. Dated 1949 / 1950. Photo #2.
- Title
- Portraits - Children
- Description
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Four children pose by their Christmas tree in the living room of their home. The two children seated on the floor each hold a toy; a metal spinning top and a doll. The boy standing in the back holds the family dog and the older girl proudly wears her "poodle" skirt with Scottie. See also...
Show moreFour children pose by their Christmas tree in the living room of their home. The two children seated on the floor each hold a toy; a metal spinning top and a doll. The boy standing in the back holds the family dog and the older girl proudly wears her "poodle" skirt with Scottie. See also mcalA14F15i19
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- Title
- Portraits - Children
- Description
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1951 photo of three children seated in front of their Christmas tree with gifts the family received in the background. The two girls wear party dresses. Their brother sits between them.
- Title
- Portraits - Children
- Description
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1945 photo of toddler seated in front of a Christmas tree with presents in a living room that include a googly eye mask face doll and a wooden wheeled riding horse. Note: Western Electric metal nondial space-saver wall telephone (1930-1957) with answer only capability seen to the right.
- Title
- Portraits - Children
- Description
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1956 or 1957 photo of three children in front of their family Christmas tree.
- Title
- Portraits - Children
- Description
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1957 or 1958 photo of two children standing in front of their Christmas tree surrounded by presents the family received. A baby carriage, dolls, a toy airplane, labeled box with air rifle outfit, a toaster and clothes are seen displayed. See also mcalB14F09i01
- Title
- Portraits - Children
- Description
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1946 or 1947 photo of an baby girl seated on a small table posing for a portrait. She rests her hand on a stuffed toy panda bear .
- Title
- Portraits - Children
- Description
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1944 photo of a little boy seated in the living room with Christmas tree, wrapped presents and stuffed toys