Joel Anderson Photography

The Chair Room

The Ephrata Cloister Project

    I started photographing the Ephrata Cloister, a village of stone and wood buildings dating from 1732, several years ago while on a public tour of the site. I had to follow the typical museum restrictions - no flash, no tripod, keep up with the tour. In December 2006 I sent a portfolio of images to the Cloister director, Toni Collins of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. Impressed with my interpretation of the Cloister, she invited me to shoot on my own terms, assigning an employee to escort me to new locations - something they have never done before.

    I was captivated by the dignity of the Cloister buildings and the sunlight through the old glass windows. This is a unique and at the same time slightly eerie place, worlds away from modern life, and I concentrated on communicating the atmosphere with my photographs.

    The Cloister is now owned and maintained by the Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission who have done an amazing job of preserving and explaining this part of early American history. The first buildings were constructed in 1732 by a pacifist religious sect from Germany led by Conrad Beissel. His followers led a very disciplined life of work and prayer, and created an unusually intricate form of choral music which is still studied by scholars today. They were also known for very beautiful illuminated manuscripts called Fraktur, and many other crafts and arts, but they also reached out to the community beyond the Cloister. They opened a highly regarded school for the children of local farmers, which continued in various forms until the 19th century. General George Washington brought 500 grievously wounded soldiers to the Cloister from the 1777 Battle of Brandywine, 70 miles away, to be cared for by the members. There are endless stories of the history that took place here, and I found it to be a fascinating place to photograph.

Catalog No. 1104

Photographed with Hasselblad medium format film camera

Taken at the Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania

Edition Size: 125.  Signed, numbered and dated on front of mat in pencil.

Available in size D (20x20")  Please click here for framing options, prices, and how to place your order.

The Cloister Hearth

Catalog No. 1110

Photographed with Hasselblad medium format film camera

Taken at the Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania

Edition Size: 125.  Signed, numbered and dated on front of mat in pencil.

Available in size D (20x20")  Please click here for framing options, prices, and how to place your order.

Meeting House Gables

Catalog No. 1109

Photographed with Hasselblad medium format film camera

Taken at the Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania

Edition Size: 125.  Signed, numbered and dated on front of mat in pencil.

Available in size D (20x20")  Please click here for framing options, prices, and how to place your order.

Carpenter's House Fence

Catalog No. 1106

Photographed with Hasselblad medium format film camera

Taken at the Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania

Edition Size: 125.  Signed, numbered and dated on front of mat in pencil.

Available in size D (20x20")  Please click here for framing options, prices, and how to place your order.