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
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1951 group of young people and adults seated at dining tables at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls, hard wood floor, chandelier made from wooden logs with horns and a mirror ball attached. Photo #4.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1944 photo of the Sisters of Alpha Chi Omega sorority (residence: 384 Main St., Burlington, Vt.). Some of the middle-aged adults may be faculty advisers. (See also mcalB15F14i06.)
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1945 photo of a group of young women, dressed for a formal ball. This is a smaller group from that seen in mcalB15F20i07. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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A large group of young people along with a few older adults gather at a rustic restaurant(?) for a special meal or event. Dated 1949 or 1950.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1951 or 1952 portrait photo of young people with several adults gathered at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls, wooden log chandelier. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1937 photo of a group of young women, with five male cooks and kitchen staff standing behind them. Location, occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1947 photo of a group of young women at a formal dinner. The lady seated left of center--somewhat older than the others--may be the house mother of a sorority. She is seen in mcalB15F19i08, along no doubt with a few of the women in this photo.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Large group of young women (see mcalB15F16i01) gathered at a venue with trademark lattice decoration. Occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1945 photo of 20 women, 3 men, at a social gathering. Identity of the group, venue, or occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 group portrait photo of young people and several adults gathered in a rustic restaurant with knotty pine walls and wooden log chandelier overhead. See mcalB16F07i05 for another exposure of same group. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1948 photo of a large group of men and women, of varying ages, dressed for a social function. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of a group of young people seated in wooden chairs. They turn to look at the photographer. In the background is another group of people holding or wearing large numbers. Clearly seen in center is "Friday 13".
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1958 photo of group of young people and a few adults gathered at a rustic interior restaurant. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 photo of young people with several adults gathered in a rustic restaurant. Overhead hangs a wooden log chandelier. See mcalB16F07i05 for another exposure of same group. Photo #3.
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- Portraits, children, unidentified
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May Crowning? A close up photo of the central girl on a platform with trellis behind dressed as a religious figure. She is surrounded by six young school children dressed in First Communion dresses and veils. Photo #1. See also mcalA14F15i01
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- Portraits, children, unidentified
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Undated portrait photo of women and children being part of May Crowning, a traditional Roman Catholic ritual that occurs in the month of May whereby an image or likeness of the Blessed Virgin is ceremonially crowned recognizing her as Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. Women hold lilies and...
Show moreUndated portrait photo of women and children being part of May Crowning, a traditional Roman Catholic ritual that occurs in the month of May whereby an image or likeness of the Blessed Virgin is ceremonially crowned recognizing her as Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. Women hold lilies and gladiolas, children hold bouquets of daisies. Some are dressed in robes with flower garlands in their hair.
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- Portraits, children, unidentified
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May Crowning? A group of young ladies and young school children are assembled outside for a religious event. Eight young women are dressed in long summer gowns. A central girl stands on a platform dressed as a religious figure with a floral and vine decorated trellis behind. Photo #2. See also...
Show moreMay Crowning? A group of young ladies and young school children are assembled outside for a religious event. Eight young women are dressed in long summer gowns. A central girl stands on a platform dressed as a religious figure with a floral and vine decorated trellis behind. Photo #2. See also mcalA14F15i01 and i02
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- Title
- Portraits, children, unidentified
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May Crowning? A group of young ladies and young school children are assembled outside for a religious event. Eight young women are dressed in long summer gowns. A central girl stands on a platform dressed as a religious figure with a floral and vine decorated trellis behind. Photo #3. See also...
Show moreMay Crowning? A group of young ladies and young school children are assembled outside for a religious event. Eight young women are dressed in long summer gowns. A central girl stands on a platform dressed as a religious figure with a floral and vine decorated trellis behind. Photo #3. See also mcalA14F15i02 and i03
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- Title
- Portraits, children, unidentified
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A troop of girls belonging to the Blue Birds (Camp Fire Girls) stands and kneels with a framed poster. The girls are in uniform, some complete with beanie caps with blue bird emblem. Troop leader stands in back.
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- Portraits, children, unidentified
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A group of young children (perhaps kindergarten age) are seen in their day care center (may be a church or nursery setting). They gather around tables, chairs, doll carriage and sand box. Two older women stand in back along with an older girl. See also mcalA14F16i32