The Allens’ commercial successes were promoted in the press: “It would probably be no exaggeration to say that many of the most beautiful photographic illustrations to be found in our current magazine emanate from Deerfield.” While Deerfield’s impressive architecture and material culture enhanced numerous Allen photographs, seen in “How dy’ do!” and “Miss Fidelia with the Profile,” such photographs may have given the misleading impression that townspeople strolled around in costumes from earlier times.

Photographs courtesy of Memorial Hall Museum, Deerfield, MA.