Archives West Finding Aid
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S.E. Meldrum Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition photograph album, 1909
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Meldrum, S.E
- Title
- S.E. Meldrum Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition photograph album
- Dates
- 1909 (inclusive)19091909
- Quantity
- 69 photographic prints in 1 album (1 box)
- Collection Number
- PH0061
- Summary
- Photographs of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle, 1909 by an amateur photographer
- 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 collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the Friends of the Library.
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
The Klondike Gold Rush made Seattle the dominant city in the Pacific Northwest, as the major supplier to Alaska. The goal of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) was to show off the growth and development of the Pacific Northwest, specifically Seattle, and to display the value of commercial trade with the Pacific Rim. When Japan agreed to participate, the AYPE became a truly international, multi-cultural event, which planners of the AYPE hoped would demonstrate cooperation between people from around the world. On a less philosophical level, city officials also hoped that the exposition would encourage people to relocate to the growing metropolis of Seattle.
Officials soon decided on the largely wooded grounds of the University of Washington, situated on Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier visible in the distance. The first $650,000 for the AYPE was raised by proud Seattleites, who bought “shares” of the exposition. Much of the rest was funded by the sale of public lands and by the Washington State legislature, with the understanding that the buildings built for the exposition would become part of the University of Washington at the end of the AYPE. John and Frederick Olmsted, son and stepson of Frederick Law Olmsted, prominent landscape architects in their own right, designed much of the AYPE grounds.
Thanks to two years of planning and the huge sums of money raised, the AYPE grounds and exposition were everything the planners had hoped for. It was a fascinating mix of ethnic diversity and crass commercialism, but it clearly appealed to the people of the United States. Over 80,000 people attended the AYPE on opening day in June 1909, and by closing day (October 16, 1909) 3.7 million people had paid to see attractions such as the Igorrote Village, and the Indian and Eskimo exhibits. They had seen animals built out of fruits and nuts, and rode on the Fairy Gorge Tickler. The AYPE had been a huge success. Seattle officials were pleased to note that the AYPE had drawn 700,000 people more than the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition had attracted in the rival city of Portland, Oregon.
Although the Exposition boasted its own official photographer, amateur photographers could purchase a paper permit, allowing access for one day. With the day pass, an amateur photographer with a camera smaller than 6" x 8" was allowed to take unlimited photographs of the buildings, exhibits and other features.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs depicting the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in Seattle, Washington in 1909. The 69 photographs depict the exhibits, buildings, Pay Streak and people strolling through the grounds of the exposition. The photographs were possibly made by S. E. Meldrum, an amateur photographer.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Preferred Citation
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific ExpositionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Page | item | ||
1 | a | 1909 | |
1 | b | Entrance to AYPE grounds from the lake |
1909 |
2 | Main entrance illuminated at night |
1909 | |
3 | Temple of Music and Sunken Gardens |
1909 | |
4 | Temple of Music illuminated at night |
1909 | |
item | |||
5 | a | Oriental Building |
1909 |
5 | b | Foreign Building |
1909 |
6 | a | Hawaiian Building |
1909 |
6 | b | Alaska Building |
1909 |
7 | a | Side view of Fine Arts Building |
1909 |
7 | b | Front view of Fine Arts Building |
1909 |
8 | a | 1909 | |
8 | b | Auditorium from right side |
1909 |
9 | 1909 | ||
10 | 1909 | ||
item | |||
11 | a | 1909 | |
11 | b | Manufactures Building |
1909 |
12 | a | 1909 | |
12 | b | View down the Cascades towards Agriculture Building |
1909 |
13-14 | 1909 | ||
item | |||
15 | a | Grounds and Oriental Building |
1909 |
15 | b | View of Geyser Basin facing Oriental Building |
1909 |
16 | 1909 | ||
item | |||
17 | a | 1909 | |
17 | b | 1909 | |
18 | The U.S. Government Building illuminated at night |
1909 | |
item | |||
19 | a | 1909 | |
19 | b | U.S. Government Building illuminated at night viewed from across the Geyser Basin |
1909 |
20 | a | View from Sunken Gardens towards the Alaska or Hawaii Building |
1909 |
20 | b | Grounds in front of Manufactures Building |
1909 |
21 | a | 1909 | |
21 | b | Dairy Exhibit Building |
1909 |
22 | a-b | Mine Exhibit Building |
1909 |
23 | 1909 | ||
24 | 1909 | ||
item | |||
25 | a | 1909 | |
25 | b | New York Building |
1909 |
26 | a | Idaho Building |
1909 |
26 | b | California Building |
1909 |
27 | a | 1909 | |
27 | b | Spokane Building |
1909 |
28 | a | 1909 | |
28 | b | 1909 | |
29 | a | Alaska Building |
1909 |
29 | b | Canada Building |
1909 |
30 | a | View towards Geyser Basin |
1909 |
30 | b | 1909 | |
31 | a | 1909 | |
31 | b | 1909 | |
32 | a | 1909 | |
32 | b | 1909 | |
33 | a | 1909 | |
33 | b | 1909 | |
34 | a | 1909 | |
34 | b | 1909 | |
35 | a | 1909 | |
35 | b | An Igorrote boy in front of visitors |
1909 |
36 | a | 1909 | |
36 | b | 1909 | |
37 | a | 1909 | |
37 | b | 1909 | |
38 | a | 1909 | |
38 | b | 1909 | |
39 | a | 1909 | |
39 | b | 1909 | |
40 | a | 1909 |
Sitka, AlaskaReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Page | item | ||
41 | a | St. Michael's Cathedral |
circa 1909 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographic prints