Eugenia Kennicott

Eugenia Kennicott (1883–1934) recorded her life in Colorado in early 19th century in rare photographic plates. Her sister Anna kept a journal, which was published in 1993, that added to the understanding of life in the American West. Her niece published her aunt's photographs with passages from her mother's diary in the book "Learn to Labor and to Wait". Kennicott suffered with the pain of tuberculosis of the spine throughout her life, and yet kept herself busy with a number of activities, including taking photographs of moments of her life.

Early life

Eugenia "Gene" Ransom Kennicott was the daughter of Mary Azuba (1854-1939) and Frank Kennicott (1842-1914), who were from Ohio and Illinois. Frank had arrived with his brother George, who also had tuberculosis. Their health improved and they prospered. They were amongst several European American men—John Taylor, William Vorhis, and Elisha Horn—who first settled permanently in Wet Mountain Valley in 1869.

Frank married Mary "Minnie" Azuba Smith of Cleveland, Ohio on March 22, 1882. Two of her sisters, Emily and Helen, married two of Frank's brothers. Frank and Mary settled in the house near Westcliffe and had a daughter Eugenia Ransom Kennicott on January 19, 1883 and another Anna Townsend Kennicott born September 14, 1887. Some of the images depict the schoolhouse she attended in Ula, as well as scenic trips the family took across Colorado. Sometimes Anna took pictures of Eugenia, during which she wore braids as a child and then an elegant bun as she grew into womanhood.

Learn to Labor and to Wait Anna's daughter Gertrude Schooley compiled Eugenia's photographs with passages from Anna's diaries to create the book Learn to Labor and to Wait. It was published privately in 1993. The glass negatives were donated to the Colorado Historical Society (now History Colorado). The exhibit was shown at other locations throughout the state.