BOOKLET

 Sample pages from Edition I

Hazel and Robert Belfit collected a broad range of Shaker material privately and quietly. They preserved their experience, friendships and Shaker history through Robert’s photography spanning five decades.

These pictures were included within boxes of documents received from my grandfather, Bob, labeled “Shaker Pictures”. Hundreds of 35mm and 46mm negatives within undated sleeves, most notated with solely ISO, F-stop and number of copies to create, typically four to five with accompanying prints.

Amongst most negative sets, there are various Belfit’s items staged for documentary purposes or their frequently visiting family tucked in somewhere within the frame, unbeknownst to them, except Hazel. Hazel was Rob’s equal.

In numerous correspondence, both Eldress Annie Rosetta Stephens (Mt. Lebanon) and later Ethel Peacock (Sabbathday Lake)  express gratitude to Rob for his photographs they received. Rob likely mailed the Sisters photographs after shared visits to the villages. When the villages were closing, their contents (including Rob' photographs) ended up in multiple photographic catalog repositories.