A racing canoe featuring two sails navigates Lake George in upstate New York. It’s unclear what role the gentleman at foreground right is doing. Suggestions welcomed.

William Preston Atwood: 1853-1954

Amateur photographer William Preston Atwood, who graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1876 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was the president of the Lowell Association of Amateur Photographers as early as 1888, around the time this marine view of Lake George was believed to have been taken. He continued his presidency with the club when it was renamed to Lowell, MA Camera Club in 1890.

Anthony’s Photographic Bulletin commented on another Lake George view by Atwood in April, 1889: “W. P. Atwood, of Lowell Camera Club, had four gems of scenery at Nantucket and Lake George, with particularly fine effects in the clouds. “Marblehead Rocks” and “Summer Afternoon, Lake George” were, in our opinion, the best of a fine exhibit.”

The location of the photograph is also significant in the history of the sport of canoeing in the United States. The American Canoe Association states “In 1880, the canoeists who vacationed in the Lake George – Lake Champlain area of New York State recognized the rising tide of interest in canoeing and issued a call for a Convention of Canoeists.  The result was the formation of the American Canoe Association on August 3, 1880  on the shores of Lake George, New York by 24 charter members.”

THE FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE LOWELL AMATEURS.

Mr. William P. Atwood, the President of the club, hung six landscapes. Apart from the general excellence of the work, the object of particular interest in this exhibit was its success in the difficult operation of printing in clouds. It is rare that the out-door photographer is fortunate enough to get good landscape and good sky on the same plate, and it is to remedy this fault of nature that the process of printing in has been devised. The resulting picture is made from two or more plates, one being used for the landscape and the others for the clouds. The operation is exceedingly delicate and requires the utmost care and patience for its successful accomplishment. – Anthony’s Photographic Bulletin, December 28, 1889, p. 760

Obituary: The New York Times, December 29, 1954: William Atwood Dies at 101

William Preston Atwood, a member of the class of 1876 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, died today at the age of 101. Mr. Atwood became a textile chemist after completing his studies at M. I. T. He retired in 1928. He was an honorary life member of the American Chemical Society. Surviving are a son, William F. Atwood, and a daughter, Miss Catharine Atwood.

Excerpt, Obituary From the Newton (MA) Graphic, January 6, 1955

WILLIAM P. ATWOOD

William Preston Atwood, oldest alumnus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a retired textile chemical engineer, died Wednesday, December 29, at his home, 57 Kingswood road, Auburndale, at the age of 101.

Born in Orrington, Maine, he took up residence in Lowell as a boy and following his retirement from business he lived in Chelmsford until 1951 when he moved to Auburndale.