This photo essay features images of the Chateau de la Galée taken in 1912 by Alice Tower — my grandmother Agnes Lilly Tillmann’s best friend — on a trip to meet the Vicomte and Vicomtesse Jean & Amelie (Koop) de Foresta. The packet of photos was sent to Agnes Lilly with descriptions written on the reverse of each photo (God bless folks who do that!).
Introduction
Alice Tower & Paris
Boston-born Alice Tower (1886-1941) first met Agnes Lilly at Miss Grace Lee Hess’ school for girls in Paris. Agnes Lilly entered the school starting in September 1908 and a month later (on October 24) Alice Tower — an unknown American stranger — became Agnes Lilly’s roommate.
The girls bonded instantly and remained lifelong friends. Four years later Agnes Lilly & Alice celebrated their fourth anniversary in Paris, commemorated by Alice’s simple but heartfelt anniversary poem pasted in Agnes Lilly’s 1912 travelogue diary.
At my grandmother’s wedding in 1914 Alice was chief bridesmaid. In the 1930s their friendship grew deeper when Alice and her family moved to Darien, Connecticut, near Agnes Lilly and her van Eck brood in Greenwich. Alice died at age 56 in 1941.
Tower’s “Fish Brand” Slickers
Alice’s father Abner J. Tower introduced waterproof oil clothing in the 1880s — the now familiar yellow rain slickers. Marketed under the “Fish Brand” label because the rain gear smelled slightly fishy in use — but hopefully not like yesterday’s catch.
Maps
Trip to La Galée
Alas, Agnes Lilly is not in Alice’s photographs; however, that same year Agnes made the same trip to La Galée to visit Amelie, a longtime friend
“Mrs Talmage” and Rebecca Collier are mother and daughter.
