Edward Tompkins Whitney was one of the most prominent photographers in Norwalk. After selling his business in Rochester, New York, he opened a studio in Norwalk and in New York City in 1859. During the Civil War, he worked for Matthew Brady photographing war scenes.

He returned to Norwalk in 1863. Many of the cartes de visite in this exhibit were made in his studio, in addition to the stereocards here. Whitney photographed many prominent families, including the Lockwoods in Norwalk.