Old Stone Mill, Newport, Rhode Island 1875 - 1899

This stereograph depicts the Old Stone Mill in Newport, Rhode Island, and would have been made sometime in the 19th century. Stereographs like this one were very popular at the time, and this one is marketed as part of a series of 'Seaside Views'. Yet this is not a natural wonder but a building. Why would the photographer choose to represent this building, and why might people want to view it in their homes? We might consider the position of the USA in this period, a relatively new country keen to assert its own history and culture. This building, although just a ruin, spoke of permanence and history. The choice to photograph it as part of a 'Seaside View' elevates its status as a national icon. As art historians, we should investigate not just the aesthetic qualities of the image, but the social conditions that shaped its production. Images like this can be contextualized through sources like contemporary newspapers, advertisements, and tourist guides.