Alfred Wayland Cutting
Wanted to capture a Wayland that was passing into history, his photographs capture Wayland at its loveliest. Most of his photographs date from the period of 1884-1910. Cutting only one of our photographers not born in Wayland, but he more than made up for it by his love of it and firm family roots.
Sixth generation of Cutting family to live in Wayland. Ancestor Robert built a lean-to on Reeve’s Hill in 1713. His father Charles was engaged in the stationery business in Boston for many years. In 1857, he bought the Samuel Stone Noyes House on corner of OSR and Glezen Lane for a summer house. Al’s mother was a Drury, another prominent family in Wayland.
Grew up with three siblings. A lifelong bachelor. Developed his own pictures.
Cutting lived next door to Lydia Maria and David Lee Child on Old Sudbury Road and left a charming written portrait of them in his delightful booklet “Old Time Wayland.” and then moved to LMC house after they died.
He took a long tour of Europe after graduation from English HS in Boston, worked as a bank teller in Boston for 19 years and returned to Wayland to LMC House. Always had his camera with him. Considered himself “semi-professional” entered contests and had photos published in contemporary magazines.
