Name/Title
Colt, Ella Amelia (1869-1947)Entry/Object ID
1.1.113Description
Born: June 19, 1869 in Brookfield, Vermont
Died: June 19, 1946 in Randolph, Vermont
Primary Residence: Brookfield
Recently discovered photographer of everyday life in Brookfield, Vermont circa 1900.Biographical Information
Biography
Ella Colt grew up in Brookfield on a family farm near the Floating Bridge on Sunset Lake (previously known as Colt's Pond). She married John Nathan Benham in 1898, and they began farming in Brookfield. Ella Colt was a self taught photographer and business owner. She operated a photo studio near Brookfield's famous Floating Bridge in the 1890's. Her photo collection includes family portraits, landscapes and buildings. Her work, in the form of more than one hundred glass plate negatives, was found in the attic of her brother's (Wallace Colt's)house in Brookfield in the 1960's. Forty years later the Brookfield Historical Society recognized the significance of her photography, began preserving the collection and making prints from some of the glass plates.Occupation
Farmer
Photographer
Business Owner