The Stanley Museum, Inc., located at 40 School Street in Kingfield, Maine, commemorates and preserves the heritage of the Stanley family’s genius. It houses four Stanley Steamer automobiles and a family room dedicated to their history, ingenuity, and artistic talents. The following slides illustrate the Stanley family’s technical, artistic, social, and economic achievements.

“Rural Homestead” by Dorothy Stanley Emmons

“Rural Homestead”  beautifully captures a serene rural landscape. Through it, Dorothy emphasized the simplicity and charm of early 20th-century American countryside life. Dorothy’s technique with the airbrush allows for soft gradients and delicate details. It also gives the painting a lifelike quality that invites viewers to enter the peaceful scene she depicted.

“Autumn Reflections” by Dorothy Stanley Emmons

This piece showcases a vivid autumn environment focusing on vibrant fall foliage mirrored in a calm lake. The use of airbrush painting techniques brings out the entire colors and intricate details of the leaves and water, creating a dynamic yet tranquil scene that highlights the beauty of Maine’s natural environment during the fall season.

“Winter’s Quiet” by Dorothy Stanley Emmons

“Winter Quiet” presents a tranquil winter scene featuring snow-covered fields and bare trees under a pale winter sky. Dorothy’s mastery of the airbrush technique is evident in the way she renders the texture of snow and the subtle shifts in light, depicting the stillness and quiet beauty of a winter’s day.

Chansonetta Stanley Emmons’ Rural American Life

Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, the sister of the Stanley twins, captured the essence of rural American life at the turn of the century. Her photographs are a valuable historical record, depicting everyday scenes and landscapes with a poignant and artistic touch.

Stanley Dry Plate Company Documentation

The Stanley Museum houses a collection of photographs of the Stanley Dry Plate Company, an innovative venture by the Stanley twins. These photographs document the early days of photographic dry plate technology and highlight the Stanleys’ contributions to technological advancement.  

Stanley Steamer Automobiles

Photographs of the iconic Stanley Steamer automobiles are another highlight at the Stanley Museum. They show the steam-powered cars Francis Edgar and Freelan Oscar Stanley invented. The collection displays the vehicles and captures their historical context and impact on early automotive engineering.  

Dry Plate Cameras

The museum has an extensive assortment of dry plate cameras, pivotal during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Crafted from luxurious materials like mahogany with brass accents, these cameras epitomize a technological leap in photography. Utilizing glass plates coated in gelatin emulsion, they offered photographers the convenience of delayed image development, contrasting with the immediate demands of the wet plate method. The collection features diverse models, from outdoor field cameras to precise studio ones.

Plate Holders and Darkroom Equipment

In addition to the cameras, various plate holders and darkroom gear crucial for the dry plate photography process are displayed. Plate holders, crafted from wood or metal, securely hold glass plates during exposure and transport. Early examples on display feature innovative light-tight seals. Complemented by darkroom tools like safelights, trays, and drying racks, they highlight the meticulous process of developing dry plates.

Chemical Mixing and Storage Apparatus

The museum also contains several chemical mixing and storage tools pivotal for crafting photographic emulsions and solutions. These include glass beakers, graduated cylinders, and storage bottles formerly containing silver nitrate, developer, and fixer. These artifacts spotlight the chemical intricacies of the dry plate method, emphasizing the fusion of science and artistry in early photography. 

Historical Documentation and Instructional Materials

Alongside the physical equipment is a rich collection of historical documentation and instructional materials focusing on dry plate photography. Among these are manuals, catalogs, and personal notebooks of photographers from the era, offering invaluable insights into techniques and innovations. Detailed instructions on emulsion preparation, exposure times, and development processes serve as educational resources for researchers and photography enthusiasts.

1878 Freelan Oscar Stanley Violin

Crafted during his summer hiatus in 1878, the Freelan Oscar Stanley Violin holds historical significance as F.O. Stanley’s inaugural venture into violin making. Signed “Stanley 1878,” it showcases his innovative use of spruce and maple, complemented by a distinctive varnish, potentially applied with an airbrush. This method may have drawn inspiration from his brother’s invention, the airbrush, patented in 1876. Gifted initially to student Carrie Hoffer, it remained a cherished heirloom in her family for decades.

1865 Freelan Oscar Stanley Violin

The Freelan Oscar Stanley was made in 1865 and is thought to be his inaugural full-sized creation. He handcrafted it at age 16 using spruce and maple, highlighting his early skill and commitment to the craft. Signed “F.O Stanley 1865” inside, the violin marked the start of his lifelong passion and paved the way for his collaborative ventures with his twin brother and nephew in the field.

1905 Stanley Steamer Model CX

Early models of this car represent the burgeoning era of steam-powered vehicles. The Model CX was known for its lightweight wooden frame and boiler system, which allowed it to reach speeds up to 35 mph. As a practical and popular vehicle, the CX demonstrated the reliability and efficiency of steam power before internal combustion engines became dominant.

1910 Stanley Steamer Model 70

Notable for its engineering advancements and elegant design, the Model 70 featured an improved boiler system with a more efficient burner. The new boiler enabled quicker start-up times and higher pressures. It also had luxurious leather interiors and a distinctive, sleek body, combining high performance with aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the Model 70 could reach up to 60 mph, showcasing the peak of steam car technology during that era.

1916 Stanley Steamer Mountain Wagon

The Mountain Wagon was a larger, more robust vehicle designed for rougher terrains and higher passenger capacity. It was often used for tours and transporting goods in mountainous regions, capitalizing on the power and torque of the steam engine. With its sturdy construction and durability, the Mountain Wagon exemplified the versatility and practicality of steam-powered transport in early 20th-century America.