Stonington - The second annual Rosalie Thorne McKenna Community Photography Exhibition and contest, which features original photographs from 17 finalists that embody the theme of "Neighbors," opened Saturday at the Old Lighthouse Museum. 

The contest is named in honor of Rosalie “Rollie” McKenna, the famed portrait photographer who later called Stonington home. McKenna photographed many well-known figures of the 20th century, like T.S. Eliot, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

“Rollie was a prolific photographer,” said Elizabeth Wood, the executive director of the Stonington Historical Society, which operates the museum. “In addition to her portraits, she carefully documented everyday life in Stonington between the 1950s and 1990s. Her photographs reveal so much about what life was like in our town then. We hope this contest and exhibition builds on Rollie’s photographic legacy and continues to preserve what makes Stonington so special.”

Visitors will be able to cast their vote for their favorite photo. The photographer with the most popular piece will be named the McKenna Honorary Photography Fellow and win a family membership to the Stonington Historical Society and one year of access to the Maurice LaGrua darkroom at the Richard W. Woolworth Library and Research Center. The three most popular photographs will be displayed at the Lighthouse Museum for the 2022 season.

The exhibition will run through April 30. The museum will be open Thursdays from 1 to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.