FARMINGTON — The fascinating Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, noted photographer, Kingfield native, and sister of the famous Stanley brothers, will be the topic of a slide show and commentary by Marius Peladeau at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 18, at the Farmington Grange in West Farmington. 

Peladeau is director emeritus of the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland.

 Chansonetta Emmons was born in Kingfield in 1858. Her work is presented in a book entitled, “Chansonetta: The Life and Photographs of Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, 1858-1937,” by Marius Peladeau, first published in 1977, with an introduction by the American photographer, Berenice Abbot. At the time of this book’s printing, Farmington authors and historians, Ben and Nat Butler brought to the attention of Marius and his wife, Mildred, a collection of colored lantern slides from the basement of Farmington’s Cutler Library. The only colored ones by Chansonetta known to exist.

Through the aid of D. Richard Sturges, the slides were professionally copied and made available for viewing. Peladeau believes his presentation represents the photographs Chansonetta would have chosen as her best.

Peladeau  also is former executive director of the theater at Monmouth. Mildred Peladeau is author of the well-known book, Rug Hooking in Maine. As the director of the Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums, Mildred worked with Marius and publisher, Sam Pennington of Waldoboro to build and research a collection assembled largely by, but not limited to, Chansonetta’s nephew, Raymond Stanley. Marius and Mildred met while young reporters at the Lewiston Daily Sun and have worked in the realm of historic preservation for many years.

A question-and-answer session will follow. Refreshments will be served and donations are gratefully accepted.