Lewis Miller
1796 – 1882
Carpenter · Traveler · Folk Artist
Chronicler of Rural Life

Born in York, Pennsylvania in 1796, Lewis Miller became a carpenter after being apprenticed to his older brother John.  He was a gifted craftsman, but his natural passion was art and travel.

Miller completed over 2000 sketches during his lifetime.  He spent over half his life in York, PA and the majority of his work depicts scenes from that area.  However he traveled extensively, including to Europe.  His first recorded visit to Christiansburg was in 1831 to visit his brother, Joseph.  Dr. Joseph Miller was a prominent physician in the area.  He often traveled with his nephew, Rev. Charles Miller, a minister and son of Dr. Joseph Miller.

Lewis Miller spent considerable time with relatives in Christiansburg.  Many of his sketches of the area were done in 1856 and 1857.  It is likely that Miller was a frequent visitor to the Presbyterian Manse that is now home to the museum.  He lived the last twenty years of his life in Christiansburg where he died in 1882.  Miller is buried in the historic Craig Cemetery, which is under the care of the Montgomery Museum.

We are fortunate to have two original Miller sketches, an original Valentine dated 1857, and a daguerrotype in our permanent collection, along with numerous articles, artifacts, and reproductions.

Sketches & comments by Lewis Miller (1775-85)

Curator's Notes

Conservation Needed

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Lewis Miller Miniature

interactive
1857 Valentine
permanent collection

Lewis Miller Brochure