EVENT
2nd Saturdays at the Waterworks
Prolific, Artistic, and Overlooked: Annie Powell and an Accidental Photo Historian
April 11, 2026
1pm–2pm
Join us every second Saturday of the month at 1pm to learn more about area and industrial history, engineering, archeology, water access and more from experts in a variety of fields. On April 11th, discover the hidden legacy of pioneering Lowell industrial photographer Annie Powell with photo historian Bernie Zelitch.
Annie Powell died in Lowell in 1952 at age 92 and was buried in an unmarked grave, forgotten by history. Exactly five years ago, the speaker discovered her final effects and linked them to thousands of uncredited and miscredited photos in public archives. Her images of municipal construction sites are sometimes exquisite, deeply personal, and worthy of recognition.
All Second Saturday events take place upstairs in our Overlook Gallery. The presentations are free and open to everyone, including walk-in visitors, space permitting. Please help us monitor capacity by reserving your FREE tickets in advance.
Speaker Bio:
Bernie Zelitch is founder and executive director of by Annie Powell charitable arts organization. Formerly an investigative journalist, he is a songwriter, independent historian, and a member of the Photographic Historical Society of New England board of directors.
Image taken by Annie Powell on August 14, 1915.
Courtesy of National Park Service/Proprietors of Locks and Canals Collection.
