Elder Delmer Wilson and Harry Wilson, Sabbathday Lake, ca. 1905

Contributed by United Society of Shakers

In 1882 Dorcas Wilson, a widow from Topsham, left her two sons at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community. Several years later when she returned to retake custody of her sons, Delmer (1873-1961) refused to leave his Shaker home.

He is shown with his brother, Harry Wilson (1871-1928).

Delmer became a valued member of the community. His interests and skills were wide ranging, including mechanics, woodworking, farming, painting and photography.

Most of the photographs in the Shaker Library collection of glass plates are attributable to Elder Delmer who took thousands of pictures during his lifetime.

The setting for this picture is a makeshift community studio located at the Trustees' Office. A favorite prop in the studio was the marble-topped table that was purchased by Brother Nelson Chase (1830-1898), inventor of a folding stereoscope.

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Title: Elder Delmer Wilson and Harry Wilson, Sabbathday Lake, ca. 1905
Creator: Wilson, Delmer Charles
Creation Date: circa 1905
Subject Date: circa 1905
Local Name: Sabbathday Lake
Town: New Gloucester
County: Cumberland
State: ME
Media: Copy print glass-plate negative
Local Code: GP-180
Object Type: Image

For more information about this item, contact:

United Society of Shakers
707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260
(207) 926-4597
http://www.shaker.lib.me.us/

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