August Werner papers, 1911-1980

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Werner, August, 1893-1980
Title
August Werner papers
Dates
1911-1980 (inclusive)
Quantity
5.17 cubic feet (7 boxes)
Collection Number
(Accession No. 2923-001)
Summary
Papers of a University of Washington professor of music.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The papers are open to all users.

Additional Reference Guides

Languages
English, Norwegian
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

August Werner was born in Bergen, Norway, on December 5th, 1893. In 1913 he received a B.S. from the College of Agriculture in Stend, Norway, and he graduated from the Masters School of Music in New York in 1924. Werner was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington from 1931 to 1965. He taught voice lessons, gave recitals, and made appearances in opera productions at the university. Werner also directed the Norwegian Male Chorus and the Ladies' Chorus in Seattle, as well as the Chanters of the Nile Temple Shrine. In addition, Werner acted as director in chief of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association. Werner performed as a baritone both in the United States and in Europe. He sang as a soloist with symphony orchestras, churches, and choirs. He also performed as an invited soloist at special events in his communities.

Werner was also an artist. He painted landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway's history. Among his creations as a sculptor are a bust of Beethoven at the University of Washington and a cast-bronze statue of Leif Eriksson, unveiled in 1962, which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle, Washington. Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. He died in 1980.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The August Werner papers include correspondence, programs, clippings, published music, and ephemera. Writings include "A play in three scenes depicting different episodes from the first Swedish expedition to Delaware, 1637-1638." Some musical scores transcribed by Werner are also included. There is a large collection of programs and clippings. Many of the programs relate to concerts and events which August Werner attended, performed in, and/or directed. The clippings document Werner's interests and accomplishments as a musician, artist, and amateur historian. Also included are records from the Committee for Seattle Visit of Crown Prince Olav & Crown Princess Martha of Norway and the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The creator's literary rights have not been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged in 3 series:

  • Personal and professional papers, 1911-1980
  • Committee for Seattle Visit of Crown Prince Olav & Crown Princess Martha of Norway records, 1938-1939
  • Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association records, 1936-1963

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. August Werner in 1980.

Processing Note

Processed in 2005 by Meredith Selfon.

Mold-damaged materials were photocopied and the originals discarded.

Twenty-one photographs and one postcard were relocated to the August Werner Photograph Collection, PH Accession No. 2005-021, in the division in February 2005.

Separated Materials

Some Norwegian-American and Norwegian newspapers were transferred to the Microform/Newspapers Section of the University of Washington Libraries in 2004. Other unrelated publications were sent to the Gifts Processing Unit of the University of Washington Libraries in 2004.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Personal and professional papers, 1911-1980Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Biographical information
1924-1972
Incoming letters
Box/Folder
1/2
Birthday greetings
1963
1/3
Brown, Nils F.
1938-1939
6/1
Brown, Nils F.
undated
1/4
Cameron, Basil
1934, 1938
1/5
Myrvik, Norman
1962
1/6
Normændenes Sangforening (Norwegian Singing Society)
1937-1938, 1944
1/7
Norwegian Embassy
1945, 1957-1958
1/8
Swedish Tercentenary Association
1937-1939
1/9-14
Miscellaneous A-Z
1918-1973
6/1
Miscellaneous
1925, 1933
1/15
Unidentified
1911-1958
Box/Folder
1/16
Outgoing letters
1935-1940, undated
1/17
General correspondence -- Blessum, Ben (knighthood campaign)
1928-1929
1/18
Invitations
1963-1968, undated
1/19
Personal documents
1924-1925
1/20-42
Speeches and writings
1938-1976
1/43
Writings of others
1933-1937
1/44
Legal documents
1949
Subject files
Box/Folder
1/45
Free Municipal Open Air Opera
1925
1/46
Leif Eriksson statue
1939-1962
1/47
Norwegian Male Chorus
1935-1960
Programs
Box/Folder
1/48
17th of May Festival
1933-1967
1/49
American-Scandinavian Foundation
1955
Concert programs - August Werner
Programs list August Werner as performer/director. Local programs are from locations in the state of Washington. Other locations include cities in New York, California, Nevada, Minnesota, and Norway.
Box/Folder
1/50-52
Local
1933-1971
6/3-4
Local
1931-1954
1/53-2/2
Other locations
1919-1962
6/5-6
Other locations
1919-1938
Concert programs - other performers
These programs do not list August Werner. Local programs are from locations in the state of Washington. Other locations include cities in New York, California, Nevada, Minnesota, and Norway.
Box/Folder
2/3-4
Local
1930-1963
6/7
Local
1926-1937
2/5-14
Other locations
1911-1964, undated
6/8
Other locations
1914-1944, undated
Box/Folder
2/15-23
Concert programs - University of Washington
1928-1964, undated
6/9
Concert programs - University of Washington
1931-1952, undated
2/24
Leif Eriksson Day Celebration
1936-1967
Movie theater programs
Box/Folder
2/25
The Rialto Times
1923-1925
2/26
The Rivoli Times
1923-1925
Box/Folder
2/27-28
Norwegian Male Chorus
1930-1972
2/29-30
Miscellaneous programs
1930-1980
6/2
Miscellaneous programs
1912-1929
Box/Folder
2/31
Newsletters
1941-1973
3/1
Press releases
undated, 1930
3/2
Proclamation - Leif Eriksson Day
1958
3/3
Lyrics
undated
3/4
Drawings
1922, undated
3/5
Notes
1956, undated
3/6
Menus
1926-1929
3/7
Ephemera
1929-1933, 1951-1963, undated
6/11
Ephemera
1921-1954, undated
3/8
Delegate's badge
1962, undated
box:oversize
7
Transcribed music
undated
7
Sheet music/scores
1917-1973
Box/Folder
6/10
Miscellany
1931-1932, undated
3/9-5/2
Clippings
1926-1973
6/12
Clippings
1929-1945, undated

Committee for Seattle Visit of Crown Prince Olav & Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, 1938-1939Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 5/3

Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association, 1936-1963Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
5/4
Incoming letters
1936-1937, 1961-1963
5/5
Programs
1936-1963
5/6
Notes
1961-1963

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Baritones (Singers)--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • College teachers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Music teachers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Music--Manuscripts
  • Norwegian Americans--Music
  • Norwegians--United States--Archives
  • Painters--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Sculptors--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives

Personal Names

  • Märtha, Crown Princess of Norway,  1901-1954--Travel--United States
  • Olav V, King of Norway, 1903-1991--Travel--United States
  • Werner, August, 1893-1980--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association
  • University of Washington--Faculty

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • correspondence
  • drawings
  • ephemera
  • programs
  • scores
  • writings

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • University of Washington. University Archives

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • University Archives/Faculty Papers (University of Washington)