The collection consists of 175 photographs taken by Grace and Williamina Parrish dated from 1900 to 1930. The bulk of the collection is portrait photos and contains landscape photos documenting the sisters’ travel of Europe. Boxes 1 and 2 contains photos signed by Grace Parrish. Box 3 contains photos signed by Williamina Parrish. Box 4 contains photos by Williamina Parrish along with a folder of photos which are unattributed, but titled.
St. Louis natives and sisters, Grace and Williamina Parrish maintained a private studio and gallery in their family home at 5607 Cabanne Avenue. By 1900, the Parrish sisters were known locally as amateur portrait photographers. They were both original members of the women’s group, the Potters, which created and published, The Potter’s Wheel from 1904-1907. From 1909-1911, they studied with photographer, Gertrude Kasebier in New York City. They entered many photograph competitions nationally and abroad and mounted several gallery exhibits in St. Louis. The sisters frequently travelled to Europe before and after World War I. Both were members of the St. Louis Artists Guild.