Why was she unknown and how was she discovered?

Outside the studio years 1898–1906 there is no public record of Annie Powell as a photographer. Her husband, John, who was also a photographer, also seemed to take public credity for her work.

Why was her work unattributed? She may have downplayed her profession as she may have suffered a political backlash from her association with images taken for a 1912 book which was highly critical of Lowell civic and industrial leaders. Likely, she faced sexual discrimination as a professional woman. And her strong Calvinist religion may asked her to walk humbly before God or even see photography as a violation of the commandment forbidding the making of graven images.

In March, 2021, former journalist, and by Annie Powell founder, Bernie Zelitch, identified her final effects in a Lowell basement and began the process of identifying Annie, and cataloging her images. Soon afterwards, he discovered other source material, including financial and church records. Click to see a photo of Annie Powell at approximately 85 years of age.