Exhibit Opening with Edith-Marie's son Albert Goodman

Born in 1919 in Evanston, Illinois, Edith-Marie Appleton was the youngest of the three children of Albert Ivar and Lillian Charlotte Appleton, both of whom had Swedish roots. Albert Ivar Appleton founded the prosperous Appleton Electric Company in 1903. Along with her two brothers, Edith would go on to work at the family business, contributing as an artist and collaborator for the company catalogues. She also obtained an arts degree in 1941 from Smith College, and worked as a registered nurse at Evanston Hospital during World War II. Her thorough philanthropic involvement and support of the arts was sustained by an underlying personal creativity and commitment to the arts, showcased in this exhibit through portions of her personal photograph collection.

In addition to photography, Edith-Marie played the role of poet and musician in her personal life. Above all, she was known by those closest to her as a restless, creative, and introspective spirit. These photographs, generously donated to the Swedish American Museum by Edith’s son, Albert Goodman, provide a rare and special look into the private lives of the Appleton family, and into Edith’s world in particular. Including natural landscapes, candid portraits, and more, these images, paired with some of Edith’s poetic musings, give us a glimpse into her reality.