“Anachronism”

From the collections of PVMA • Digital image © Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Assoc. • Image use information

About this item

Stepping out of his 18th century character, this ‘Indian’ photographs a fellow ‘Indian’ in a child-like pose next to an anxious looking ‘Puritan’ woman. Adding a layer to the image, photographers of note, the Allen sisters of Deerfield, Massachusetts, captured the scene with their cameras. This scene epitomizes the irony of the Old Deerfield Pageants where community members of English descent impersonated their Puritan ancestors and Native Americans. Those who put on these pageants attempted to portray a popular version of the past, but they allowed popular stereotypes and misconceptions to seep into their historical presentations.

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Details

Item typePhotograph
PhotographerAllen, Frances and Mary
Date1910–1916
PlaceDeerfield, Massachusetts
TopicArt, Music, Literature, Crafts
Native American
Clothing, Textile, Fashion, Costume
Social Activities, Entertainment, Recreation
EraProgressive Era, World War I, 1900–1928
MaterialPaper; Metal
Process/FormatPhotography; Platinum
Dimension detailsHeight: 6.00 in Width: 7.75 in
Catalog #1996.14.0579
View this item in our curatorial database →
Allen, Frances and Mary, photographer. Anachronism. Photograph. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/1996-14-0579/. Accessed on November 9, 2024.

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