Sep 05, 1985
National Register of Historic Places - David Bachrach House
Statement of Significance: The significance of this late nineteenth century frame Victorian dwelling is derived primarily from association with David Bachrach (1845-1921), a commercial photographer who figures prominently in the annals of American photographic history for his contributions to the technical, artistic, and professional advancements in the field as well as being the founder of a photographic dynasty that became a unique institution in the United States. Working at a time when photographic technique was uncertain and under standardized, Bachrach became the spokesman for photographers at the turn of the century who were confronted with a welter of technical and artistic choices. He established this position through constant experimentation in nearly all aspects of the field with the results regularly published in the leading photographic journals. Of note among Bachrach's technical contributions are experiments involving self-toning papers, the first practical process of photographic printing on canvas which was popular at the time, and a forerunner of the present-day photoengraving system. Bachrach, Inc., which was founded in 1910 and is still headed by the Bachrach family, had studios in all the major east coast cities. The Bachrachs, beginning with David, established the idea of "official portraiture," becoming the leading portrait photographers in this country well into the 1960s. This house on Linden Avenue was built for David Bachrach who lived here from about 1886 to just a few months before his death in 1921. Additional significance is acquired from association with Ephraim Keyser (1850-1937), a sculptor who was director of the Rinehart School of Sculpture, at the Maryland Institute, College of Art (Baltimore) from 1900 to 1923. Keyser, who was Bachrach's brother-in-law and who travelled extensively each year, resided with the Bachrach family during their occupancy of the house and maintained a studio in the brick structure at the back of the property. Gertrude Stein (1874-1946) the writer and a niece of Mrs. David Bachrach, lived in this house for a short time in 1892.
National Register of Historic Places - David Bachrach House
Statement of Significance: The significance of this late nineteenth century frame Victorian dwelling is derived primarily from association with David Bachrach (1845-1921), a commercial photographer who figures prominently in the annals of American photographic history for his contributions to the technical, artistic, and professional advancements in the field as well as being the founder of a photographic dynasty that became a unique institution in the United States. Working at a time when photographic technique was uncertain and under standardized, Bachrach became the spokesman for photographers at the turn of the century who were confronted with a welter of technical and artistic choices. He established this position through constant experimentation in nearly all aspects of the field with the results regularly published in the leading photographic journals. Of note among Bachrach's technical contributions are experiments involving self-toning papers, the first practical process of photographic printing on canvas which was popular at the time, and a forerunner of the present-day photoengraving system. Bachrach, Inc., which was founded in 1910 and is still headed by the Bachrach family, had studios in all the major east coast cities. The Bachrachs, beginning with David, established the idea of "official portraiture," becoming the leading portrait photographers in this country well into the 1960s. This house on Linden Avenue was built for David Bachrach who lived here from about 1886 to just a few months before his death in 1921. Additional significance is acquired from association with Ephraim Keyser (1850-1937), a sculptor who was director of the Rinehart School of Sculpture, at the Maryland Institute, College of Art (Baltimore) from 1900 to 1923. Keyser, who was Bachrach's brother-in-law and who travelled extensively each year, resided with the Bachrach family during their occupancy of the house and maintained a studio in the brick structure at the back of the property. Gertrude Stein (1874-1946) the writer and a niece of Mrs. David Bachrach, lived in this house for a short time in 1892.
Sep 05, 1985
Posted Date
Aug 11, 2023
Historical Record Date
Sep 05, 1985
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
