Photograph ID # 2024.031.S5.422 - 2024.031.S5.480

The Lowe-Dickson-Smith Family Collection houses the personal papers of the Lowe, Dickson, and Smith families. This collection, which dates from 1846 to 1974, consists of letters, newspapers, genealogical records, photographs, scrapbooks, and a family Bible, documenting the families’ personal and professional endeavors. This collection uniquely documents the lives of Montgomery County residents and speaks to events going on in the county and country at the time; this is seen particularly through the collection’s programs, invitations, advertisements, and playbills. The collection also contains genealogical records which document the relations between the Lowes, Dicksons, and Smiths, and their ties to other local families.

The “Lowe Family” series, which dates from 1846 to 1974, primarily consists of items pertaining to Catherine Lowe and Nannie (Mary Anne) Lowe, but also includes items from eight different members of the Lowe family. The series includes a wide range of items such as, letters, invitations, programs, playbills, wallet contents, estate settlements, photos, scrapbooks, and a family Bible.

The second series titled “Dickson Family” is comprised of letters, invitations, programs, photos, newspapers, and scrapbooks from the Dickson family. Most of the series pertains to Mary Lowe Dickson Ledbetter and her mother Mary Richardson Lowe Dickson, with the materials ranging in date from 1913 to 1963.

The “Smith Family” series contains letters, business papers, newspapers, photos, scrapbooks, and several 3D objects. The series, which largely pertains to Annie Laurie Lowe, her husband Homer Fraser Smith, and their son Homer Christopher Smith, ranges from 1861 to 1962. Items of particular interest include World War I letters received by Annie Laurie Lowe.

The fourth series, titled “Genealogy” is home to the collection’s family trees and genealogical records. The series dates from 1860 to 1968, and touches on multiple families including the Harrises, Wyatts, Lowes, Ledbetters, Dalys, and Dicksons. The series also contains letters, newspapers, obituaries, wills, and national society membership information.

The “Photographs” series is comprised of photographs and negatives of the Lowe, Dickson, and Smith families. The photographs have been grouped together primarily by family member.