04/26/2026
Happy World Pinhole Photography Day!
This summer at Historic Sugartown, we’ll be exploring photography through a new workshop!
Early photography was very different from the instant digital images we take today. Creating a photograph required patience, preparation, and time. In many ways, the process reflects one of Historic Sugartown’s central goals: encouraging visitors to slow down and experience the past at a more thoughtful pace.
There’a also a more direct connection between photography and Sugartown. One of Sugartown’s own residents went on to become a professional photographer. Phineas Waterman, son of Joseph Waterman, started a career here in Sugartown as a cabinetmaker in 1830. However, after leaving Sugartown and moving to Philadelphia, Phineas Waterman spent ten years (1852-1862) working as a professional photographer — embracing one of the newest technologies of his era
During these years, he often partnered with other Philadelphia photographers, including Adolphus Bradley, Isaac B. Taylor and Edward C. Austin. City directory listings suggest that Waterman worked with several photographic processes popular at the time, likely beginning with daguerreotypes and tintypes in the 1850s before transitioning to ambrotypes in the early 1860s.
For our June 6th workshop, we’ll be giving attendees a chance to build their own camera! We’ll guide you through the creation of a very simple pinhole camera. We will then capture some test photos and head back into the darkroom to develop our images!
$70 per person, includes all supplies.
Spaces are limited, so register early!
