Conservation Needed

Lewis Miller Daguerreotype

2006 photo by Bill Poff

A new invention was announced to the public in 1839 that made possible the capturing of a "truthful likeness." This new photographic method was so popular that by 1850, over 70 daguerreotype studios were located in New York City alone.

These early photographs were made from copper plates coated with a thin layer of silver, polished to mirror brightness, sensitized to light, transferred to a camera, and exposed for several minutes. After exposure, daguerreotypes were developed, sealed behind glass and then "boxed” in sometimes fancy cases. It was a meticulous, costly process but for the first time in history, people of modest economic means could obtain an exact likeness of themselves. Itinerant daguerreotype practitioners, the first photographers, traveled about the countryside. Popularity of the daguerreotype declined in the late 1850s when a faster and less expensive photographic process became available.

Lewis Miller (1796-1882), after whom our museum's art center was named, lived and worked  in Christiansburg during the 1850s; the heyday of the daguerreotype. The museum is fortunate to own a daguerreotype of Lewis Miller that likely dates to the 1850-1865 period. It was accessioned in 1988 and the donor was Archer E. Lackey. The approximate size is 6 ½’ x 3 ¾” with case open.

Although we know nothing for certain about where or when the daguerreotype was made, our imagination leads us to believe Lewis Miller had his likeness captured on a copper plate by one of those early photographers here in Christiansburg. Perhaps, it was even on the grounds of the Montgomery Museum. We believe he spent time here when it was the Presbyterian Manse. He probably would have been in his 50s or 60s at the time the image was taken.

The daguerreotype shows considerable signs of age.  In fact, the image of Miller is nearly impossible to view without special lighting and the case is in delicate condition making display unwise. It is our mission to preserve artifacts and interpret them to the public, thus, we have recently researched having the daguerreotype conserved by a professional photograph conservator. We are very interested is seeing this exceptional artifact conserved and back on display for the public to enjoy. Anyone wishing to learn more or to help fund the daguerreotype's conservation should contact the director.