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Photographers Frances and Mary Allen
Sisters Frances and Mary Allen of Deerfield, Massachusetts, began their careers as schoolteachers, but when deafness forced a change of profession, they turned to photography. Their work shows everyday activities in a rural community, like this photo of Margaret Tombs Jones churning butter. Self-taught in their craft, the Allen sisters achieved remarkable success. During their photography career from 1885 to 1920, their work appeared in numerous books and magazines as covers, illustrations and frontispieces.

Image: Memorial Hall Museum Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association Deerfield, Mass.