H. H. Bennett Studio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
H. H. Bennett Studio
|
|
The H. H. Bennett Studio & History Center in 2013
|
|
 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 215 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000054 |
| Added to NRHP | October 8, 1976 |
The H. H. Bennett Studio is a special place in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States. It used to be a photography studio, but now it's a museum! A famous landscape photographer named H. H. Bennett built this studio in 1875.
His family ran the studio for many years, until 1998. Then, they gave it to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Today, the studio is a museum where you can learn about old photography. It's even listed as a historic place!
Contents
Discovering H. H. Bennett's Photography
H. H. Bennett started his photography journey in 1865. He bought a portrait studio in a town then called Kilbourn City. This town is now known as Wisconsin Dells.
At first, not many people wanted portraits. But Bennett became famous for his amazing photos of the nearby Dells of the Wisconsin River. These pictures showed off the beautiful scenery.
Capturing the Dells
Bennett's photos of the Dells became very popular. People in cities all over the country loved them. Soon, many sightseers started coming to Kilbourn City. They wanted to see the Dells in person!
Bennett was smart and saw a chance to help these tourists. He sold them souvenir postcards and even took their portraits. Because his business grew so much, he built a new red brick studio in 1875. This is the same building you can visit today in Wisconsin Dells.
A Studio and More
Bennett's studio was more than just a place to take photos. It also worked like a gift shop. Visitors could buy souvenirs and crafts there. It even served as an information center for the area.
At his studio, Bennett invented new ways to improve photography. One of his coolest inventions was his revolving solar printing house.
The Revolving Solar Printing House
Back in Bennett's time, printing photos needed light. There was no electricity, so sunlight was the only way to print pictures. But the sun moves across the sky during the day. Bennett needed a way to keep his workspace in the best sunlight.
So, he built a small building with windows on the roof, called skylights. He put this building on rollers that moved on a circular track outside his studio. Using a system of cables and pulleys, he could move the printing house around the track. This made sure he always had enough sunlight for printing. Bennett's amazing invention is now at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
The H. H. Bennett Studio Museum
After H. H. Bennett passed away in 1908, his children took over the studio. His family continued to own it until 1998. That year, they gave the studio to the Wisconsin Historical Society. They wanted it to become a historic site for everyone to enjoy.
Restoring the Studio
The historical society worked hard to bring the studio back to how it looked in 1908. This restoration project was finished in 2000. Now, the restored studio is open to the public. It's called the H. H. Bennett Studio & History Center.
What You Can See at the Museum
At the museum, you can see exhibits that show Bennett's workspace. It looks just like it did when he used it. You can also see Bennett's many stereoscopic images of the Wisconsin Dells. These are special photos that look three-dimensional! You can view them using cool LCD shutter glasses. The museum also has a copy of Bennett's revolving solar printing house.
See also
- List of museums devoted to one photographer
