Gezicht op Rumford Hall in Waltham, Massachusetts before 1879

This albumen print, made around the turn of the 20th century by Thomas R. Lewis, offers a glimpse of Rumford Hall in Waltham, Massachusetts. The photographic process itself is significant. Introduced in the mid-19th century, albumen prints like this one were made by coating paper with egg white before applying the silver-based photographic chemicals. This method created a smooth surface ideal for capturing fine details, as we can see in the architecture of Rumford Hall. The sepia tones come from the development process, giving the image a warm, nostalgic feel. But consider the labor involved. Each print required careful preparation and handling of materials, reflecting a pre-digital era where image-making was both a craft and a science. The choice of this particular subject matter is telling. Rather than focus on grand landscapes or portraits of the elite, Lewis chose to document a local landmark. This hints at a broader social context, where photography was increasingly used to record everyday life, architecture, and community identity, challenging the traditional hierarchies of art.