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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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1957 photo taken at a VFW function, which remains unknown. Scenario seems to indicate that a young lady had won some distinction (perhaps an essay writing contest?) and is being photographed with her proud parents at the VFW hall.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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A group of men, women and a younger woman gathered for a portrait.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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A group of men, women and a younger woman gathered for a portrait.
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- Webb Estate (Shelburne, VT)
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Bride Frederica Webb Gamble in her gown on her wedding day with her husband.
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- Webb Estate (Shelburne, VT)
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Bride Frederica Webb Gamble in her wedding gown and her father, William Seward Webb, Jr.
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- Webb Estate (Shelburne, VT)
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A formal wedding photo of Frederica Webb Gamble in her wedding gown.
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- Weddings
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A young bride stands at the foot of an interior staircase in her wedding gown holding a large bouquet.
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- Weddings
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A young bride and groom prepare to cut their wedding cake.
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- Weddings
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A young woman of color stands with several other ladies all dressed in long gowns in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mount St Mary's Academy in Burlington, Vermont. Seen behind is the statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by flowers. Could this be a May Crowning? Undated. Photo #7.
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- Weddings
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A young woman poses with a very large bouquet of roses in front of a fence and leave covered background.
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- Weddings
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A young woman of color places a crown on the head of the statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by flowers in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Also seen are several other young ladies, a boy and a girl. Could this be a May Crowning? Undated. Photo #2.
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- Weddings
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A young bride holding her bouquet poses in her wedding gown beneath a leaf covered arch. A white paper bell hangs from the top of the arch. Two small evergreen trees are seen on either side seemingly dusted with "snow".
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- Weddings
- Description
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A young woman (McAllister's grand niece, Joanne Raymond) stands outside against a background of vines on a trellis and wild flowers. McAllister's home backyard at 47 No. Winooski Ave, Burlington. She wears an ankle length gown and a simple headdress. She stands on a patch of ground that has been...
Show moreA young woman (McAllister's grand niece, Joanne Raymond) stands outside against a background of vines on a trellis and wild flowers. McAllister's home backyard at 47 No. Winooski Ave, Burlington. She wears an ankle length gown and a simple headdress. She stands on a patch of ground that has been raked and shows artistic curved lines in the dirt.
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- Title
- Weddings
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A young bride stands at the foot of an interior staircase in her knee length wedding gown holding a large bouquet. Photo #2.
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- Weddings
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Seven young women stand in front of what may be the stage of Mount St Mary's Academy, Burlington, Vermont. They all wear long wedding like gowns and each wears a veil. Could they be part of a May Crowning ceremony? Photo #3.
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- Weddings
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A young bride and groom pose for a portrait in their wedding attire.
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- Weddings
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Photo of a bride surrounded by the women of her bridal party in their wedding attire. They hold bouquets; even the two young girls seen in front.
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- Weddings
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A young bride poses in profile in her wedding gown holding her bouquet. She stands within a leaf covered arch.
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- Weddings
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A wedding couple pose beneath a leaf covered arch with a tissue paper folding bell hanging from above.
- Title
- Weddings
- Description
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A young woman of color stands with several other ladies all dressed in long gowns in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Seen behind is the statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by flowers. Could this be a May Crowning? Undated. Photo #7.