Emma Baillargeon Stimson papers, 1888-1964

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Stimson, Emma Baillargeon
Title
Emma Baillargeon Stimson papers
Dates
1888-1964 (inclusive)
Quantity
65.38 cubic feet (69 boxes)
Collection Number
5115 (Accession No. 5115-001)
Summary
Papers of a Seattle cultural leader documenting her active and influential life as a society matron, and wife and widow of a Seattle business leader
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

Paper-based materials are open to all users. No user access copy is available for films. Users may be able to obtain a reproduction of the media for a fee. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Emma Baillargeon Stimson, native of Seattle, was born on July 14, 1887 to Joseph A. and Abby Collins Baillargeon. Through birth and marriage, Stimson was well connected to the most influential business and political leadership of the city. Her father established the J. A. Baillargeon Department Store in Seattle in 1889 and her maternal grandfather was John Collins, the first mayor of Seattle. Stimson graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D. C., and in 1914 married Thomas Douglas Stimson II (1884-1931), heir to a business empire that included lumbering, transportation, hotel, real estate and investment interests. In addition to her family responsibilities, Stimson founded, guided or influenced many of Seattle's charitable and cultural institutions, particularly the Seattle Art Museum. She served continuously on its Board from 1934-1954 and was acting Director of the museum when its director, Dr. Richard E. Fuller, was called to active duty during World War II. She was re-elected to the museum Board in 1961. She also contributed many modern works of art to the museum by painters Morris Graves and Mark Tobey. Emma Stimson died in Seattle on August 12, 1963.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Correspondence, biographical features, photographs, open reel film, post cards, publications, sheet music, maps, clippings, scrapbooks, textiles, funeral memorabilia and film of family scenes.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Some restrictions exist on copying, quotation or publication. Contact Special Collections for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged in 7 series.

  • Series 1, Correspondence
  • Series 2, Photographic Materials
  • Series 3, Publications
  • Series 4, Manuscript Materials
  • Series 5, Ephemera
  • Series 6, Art and Graphics
  • Series 7, Collections

Acquisition Information

Donated by Stimson-Bayley family, 9/14/1998.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Series 1:  Correspondence Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Subseries 1: Incoming Letters from Family
Box/Folder
1/1
Adams, Henrietta
1925-1942
½
Baillargeon, Abbie Ann Collins
1895-1914
1/3
Baillargeon, Charles J.
1952
1/4
Baillargeon, Henri J.
1950-1959
1/5-8
Baillargeon, Cebert J.
1917-1959
1/9-17
Baillargeon, John A.
1914-1928
1/18-57
Baillargeon, Joseph Arthur (J. A.)
1901-1929
2/1-2
Baillargeon, Joseph Arthur (J. A.)
1931-1932
2/3-13
Bayley, Frances Ann Stimson
1933-1944
2/14-15
Bayley, Frank
1944-1958
2/16
Bullitt, Charles Stimson
undated
2/17-21
Bullitt, Dorothy F. And A. Scott
1910-1949
2/22
Clark, Charles
1940-1949
2/23-37
Clark, Emma Eleanor Stimson (Nona)
1929-1941
2/38
Collins, A.
1918
2/39-43
Collins, E. Bertrand
1937-1957
3/1
Downey, Emma Collins
1929-1932
3/2
Gravel, Lucille
1958
3/3
Noonan, Catherine Baillargeon
1956-1958
3/4
Lindgren, Mary S. Noonan, Catherine Baillargeon
1951
3/5
Pherton, _ _ _
1926-1942
3/6
Quainton, Eden
1940
3/7
Quainton, Tony
1958
3/8
Ruhm, Edana Collins
1924-1962
3/9-17
Slattery, John J.
1925-1963
3/18-56
Slattery, Marie Baillargeon
1914-1938
3/57-62
Slattery, Paul
1920-1963
3/63-67
Slattery, Thomas
1920-1963
3/68
Sontag, Mary
1957
3/69
Stimson, Abbie Ann
1925-1929
3/70
Stimson, Anna Marie
1943
3/71
Stimson, Annie Waters
1948
3/72-73
Stimson, Charles W.
1935-1952
4/1-16
Stimson, Douglas Joseph
1928-1963
4/17-18
Stimson, Herold
1925-1927
4/19-37
Stimson, Harriet Overton and Charles Douglas
1919-1936
4/38-51
Stimson, David T.
1936-1959
5/1-51
Stimson, Thomas Douglas
1913-1925
6/1-27
Stimson, Thomas Douglas
1926-1931
6/28
Stimson, Virginia
1937
Subseries 2: Incoming Letters from Non-Family
Box/Folder
6/29
Agen, Stuart
1929-1934
6/30
Atwood, Eugenia Fuller
1950-1959
6/31
Aubler, John
1958
6/32
Backus Family
1957
6/33
Ballinger, Alma
1929
6/34
Biglow, Maud
undated
6/35
Benson, Amy
1926
6/36
Blandy, Kitty
1941-1956
6/37
Boeing, Bertha
1950
6/38
Boettiger, Anna Roosevelt
1939
6/39
Buck, Pearl S.
1940
6/40
Burwell, Elizabeth
1957
6/41
Callahan, Kenneth
1953-1957
6/42
Caneros, Basil
undated
6/43
Clark, Nell
undated
6/44
Clarke, Charles H.
1917-1941
6/45-47
Conway, John and Dorothy
1958
6/48
Coulton, Anne and George
1946
6/49
Crysler, Sidney and Betty
undated
6/50
Dally, Agnes
1928
6/51
Donval, Yves
undated
6/52
Eckstein, Joanna
1956
6/53
Enthoven, Alain
1956-1963
6/54
Fellows, Mrs. Carl
1950
6/55
Fitzgerald, Esther
1926-1957
6/56-57
Fuller, Margaret
1930-1949
6/58-68
Fuller, Richard E.
1934-1959
6/69
Furth, Lucy A.
1923
6/70
Garrell, Jessie E. S.
1922
6/71
Glennan, Keith T.
1920-1959
6/72
Gould, Carl Frelinghuysen
undated
6/73
Graves, Morris
1949
6/74
Green, Jackson
1955
6/75
Greenwood, Mrs. George
1935-1962
6/76
Haggerty, Louis C.
1910
6/77
Haig-Brown, Addy
1940
6/78
Hark, Kate L.
undated
6/79
Hepler, Carolyn
undated
6/80
Hinds, Hazel
1962
6/81
Hoffman, Julie and Harry
1948
6/82
Howell, John and Rebecca
undated
6/83
Hughes, Emma J. de Hart
1921-1922
6/84
Hughes, Rita C.
1958
6/85
Jones, Florence Williams
1920
6/86
Julie, Sister
1918
6/87
Kidel, Dru and George
1939-1940
6/88
Laurence, Bill and Betty
1956
6/89-90
Lee, Ruth and Sherman
1950-1962
6/91
Littell, Norman M.
1941
6/92
Madeline, Sister
1918-1919
6/93
Mathieu, Anais
1921
6/94
McAllister, Charlotte Huessy
1957
6/95
McBurney, Wallace A.
1950-1959
7/1-16
McCrown, Albert
1930-1953
7/17
McIntyre, Helen
1949-1952
7/18
Meyer, Harvey K.
1937
7/19
Millard, Florence Agen
1957
7/20
Mitchell, Harry and Vivian
undated
7/21
Moores, Hazel Pat
1956
7/22
Miya, _ _ _
1940
7/23
Oakes, Mildred
1957
7/24
Ohata, Toyo
1940
7/25
Olmsted, Everett W.
1940
7/26
Olson, _ _ _
1918
7/27
Paton, Agatha and Noel
1940-1956
7/28
Payson, Dorothy Terry Bullitt
1917-1962
7/29
Platt, Mrs. Charles
1933
7/30
Politzer, Caesar
1956
7/31
Power, John and Mary
1936-1940
7/32
Radford, colin
undated
7/33
Reinhold, Rev. H. A.
1956
7/34
Reybold, Mrs. Eugene
1962
7/35
Roberts, Gwladys
1959
7/36
Robinson, Mrs. Dwight Edwards
1957
7/37
Rockwood, Louis and Charley
1957
7/38
Sharples, Caspar W.
1920-1922
7/39
Somervell, Helen
1937-1959
7/40
Swanson, Ada
1962
7/41
Terry, Jane
1927-1942
7/42
Thomas, Ed
1957
7/43
Thurber, Muriel
undated
7/44
Tobey, Mark
1952-957
7/45
Trimble, Glen Kerry
1954
7/46
Van Ogle, Louise
1940
7/47
Visele, Desiree
1937
7/48
Ward, Inez and George
undated
7/49
Webb, Mabel
1934-1957
7/50
Weyerhaeuser, Helen
1957
7/51
Willis, Elizabeth Bayley
1952
7/52
Wilson, Dorothy Dennis
1956
7/53
Witter, Mrs. Dean
1957
7/54
Yamanaka and Company, Osaka
1941
7/55
Younger, Helen and Cole
1955
7/56-59
Miscellaneous A-Z
1915-1962
7/60
Christmas Telegrams, Various Authors
1029
7/61
unidentified
932-1940
7/62
Outgoing Letters to Collins, Emma and A. Collins (Grandmother)
1899-1901
7/63
Outgoing Letter to Landis (Miss)
1896
7/64
Outgoing Letter to Miller, A. S.
1894
Subseries 3: Stimson, Thomas Douglas
Box/Folder
7/65
Incoming Letter from Abbie Ann (Niece)
Undated
7/66
Incoming Letter from Baillargeon, J. A
1915-1929
7/67
Incoming Letter from Brown, George H.
1918
7/68
Incoming Letter from Bullitt, Dorothy Frances and A. Scott
1918
7/69
Incoming Letter from McLaren, Archibald
1930
7/70
Incoming Letter from Mooney, Carl
1930
7/71
Incoming Letter from Overton, W. E.
1901-1905
7/72
Incoming Letter from Stimson, Charles Douglas and Harriet Overton
undated
7/73-74
Incoming Letter from Stimson Emma Baillargeon
1929
7/75
Incoming Letter from Frances Ann
1929
7/76
Incoming Letter from Uihlein, Rober A.
1918
7/77-78
Outgoing Letter to Overton, W. E.
1901-1906
7/79
Ships Log of Waco
1928
Subseries 4: Stimson, Harriet Overton and Charles Douglas Stimson
Box/Folder
7/80
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Charles Douglas
1917
7/81-88
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Emma Baillargeon
1915-1918
8/1-55
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Emma Baillargeon
1919-1931
8/56
Incoming Letters from Stimson, David
1925-1931
8/57
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Frances Ann
1923-1931
8/58
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Nona
1926-1931
8/59-76
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Thomas Douglas
1889-1901
9/1-50
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Thomas Douglas
1902-1918
10/1-51
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Thomas Douglas
1919-1931
10/52
Outgoing Letters to Downey, Emma and Archie
undated
Subseries 5: Baillargeon, Joseph Arthur (J. A.)
Box/Folder
10/53
Incoming Letters from Baillargeon, Abbie Ann
1894
10/54-64
Incoming Letters from Baillargeon, Emma
1896-1904
11/1-24
Incoming Letters from Baillargeon, Emma
1905-1910
11/25
Incoming Letters from Baillargeon, T. X.
1892
11/26
Miscellaneous
1888-1895
11/27
Outgoing Letters to Baillargeon, Abbie Ann
1894
11/28-29
Outgoing Letters to Baillargeon, J. Cebert
1907-1937
11/30
Outgoing Letters to Baillargeon, Marie
1907
Subseries 6: Stimson, Dorothy Frances (Bullitt)
Box/Folder
12/1
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Thomas Douglas
1900-1901
12/2
Outgoing Letters to Stimson, Frances Ann
1920
Subseries 7: Collins, Edana
Box/Folder
12/3
Incoming Letters from Baillargeon, J. A.
1900-1901
12/4-5
Incoming Letters from Collins, John
1899-1901
12/6
Incoming Letters from Henderson, E.
1908
12/7-8
Incoming Letters from Stimson, Emma Baillargeon
undated
Subseries 8: Collins, Abbie Ann
Box/Folder
12/9
Incoming Letters from Manger, Julie
1895
12/10
Outgoing Letters to John Collins
1882
Subseries 9: Stimson Family
Box/Folder
12/11
Correspondence of Purcell, Abbie Ann Baillargeon to Emma Eleanor Stimson Clark
1958
12/12
Correspondence of Slattery, Paul to Emma Eleanor Stimson Clark
1926
12/13
Correspondence of Stimson, T. David to Clarence Hulford.
1933
Subseries 10: Baillargeon Family
Box/Folder
12/14
Correspondence to Miss L__ to Paul Baillargeon
1899

Series 2:  Photographic MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
13
Album: Thomas Douglas Stimson
1913-1920
13
Loose Photos: Biographical
undated
14
A-Smedchilds
undated
15
Stimson-Z
undated
16
Album: Frances Ann Stimson
1928
17
Reel Film: KING-TV
Eulogy to EBS, gifts to Seattle Art Museum. Polyester base, transferred to VHS Tape #1.
September, 1963
18
Reel Film: August 14, 1923, Frances Anne, David, Eleanor at Playhouse (Highlands)
Frances Anne, David Eleanor at Playhouse (highlands). 1925: Highlands picnic. 1925: Highlands school play. All are on triacetate film stock, transferred from cellulose nitrate originals. Transferred to VHS Tape #2 (VHS transfer completed September 1994).
1923, 1925
19
Reel Film: 1925, Yacht Wanda
Inscribed to C. W. from TDS. 1926: Children in garden. 1929: children with bear cubs. Undated: Garden Club of America at TDS Highlands home. Undated: Douglas Stimson's 9th birthday. Undated: President Franklin Roosevelt at Grand Coulee Dam. Transferred to VHS Tape #2
October 5, 1925
20
Reel Film: 1930, highlands Beach
Transferred to VHS Tape #2; February 14, 1931, SOYP club at Mt. Rainier; 1930, Snow scene on lawn transferred to VHS #3.
1930
21
Reel Film: April 25, 1931, TDS and Robert Brinkly at start of flight to Spokane.
Transferred to VHS Tape #3
April 25, 1931
22
Reel Film: 1933, David Stimson on cruise ship leaving for Budapest Jamboree; August 1933, voyage on the Flying Fish and Frances Ann Stimson debut tea.
Transferred to VHS Tape #3
1933
23
Reel Film: 1935, the Highlands, commercial film, surfing at Waikiki Beach, Hood Canal boat trip, home and CWS swimming pool, and Orcas Island and Virginia
Transferred to VHS Tape #3
1935
24
Reel Film: 1936, European tour with children, 1937-1938, Skiing at Mt. Rainier; 1936, summer parties and Christmas at Norcliffe.
Transferred to VHS Tape #3
1936-1938
25
Reel Film: 1938-1939, Lake Placid; 1939, trip to California; 1938, Skiing at Mt. Rainer, April, 1941, the Highlands and Nona and Douglas sailing.
Transferred to VHS Tape #3
1938-1939
26
Reel Film: June 1942, M Lazy V. Ranch, Montana; 1943-1946, Douglas' leave, Tommy and Franky Bayley, David and Nona Stimson
Transferred to VHS Tape #8
1942-1946
27
Album: 1934 Tour of Japanese Historic and Cultural Sites; Photographer Richard E. Fuller (Trip by REF, Margaret Fuller, EBS to purchase artifacts for Seattle Art Museum).
Transferred to VHS Tape #9
1934
27
Album: Emma Baillargeon and Thomas D. Stimson
1911-1918
28
Album: C. D. Stimson
1908-1918
29
Album: Douglas Joseph Stimson
1926-1931
29
Album: Emma Baillargeon; European Tour
1907
29
Album: Emma Baillargeon; Loreto Abbey, Toronto.
1904-1907
30
Album: Thomas Douglas and Emma Baillargeon Stimson; children's portraits
1927-1929
31
Album Contents: Portraits of Thomas Douglas Stimson, Emma Baillargeon Stimson, and Family
undated
32
Album: Thomas Douglas Stimson; Cascadillia School, Cornell University, Highlands
1904
33
Album: created by C. D. And T. D. Stimson
1904-1918
34
Oversize portraits of family and friends
Oversize flat gallery box: oversize portraits, family and friends including Baillargeon, Bullitt, Collins, Fuller, McCown, Slattery, and Stimson families.
undated
35
Album, snapshot: Emma B. Stimson's grandchildren
Album created by Charles Mosley Clark: A Day in the Life of a Museum Board Member J. G. (Thomas A. Clarke).
undated
36
Loose photos, by subject: Documentation (alphabetical) of sites and homes; Travel (alphabetical) by countries
undated
37
Glass plates and lantern slides: Baillargeon family
5 x 7 picture broken into four pieces
Thomas Douglas Stimson seated at grotto
1910
38
Studio Portraits: Emma Baillargeon Stimson
1912-1931
39
Studio Portraits: Thomas Douglas Stimson
1904-1931
40
Studio and Publicity Portraits: Charles Douglas Stimson, Harriet Overton Stimson, and Dorothy Frances Stimson
1905-1927
41
Studio Portraits: Thomas David Stimson, Stimson brothers and sisters, family friends.
Includes and photo of Mark Tobey portrait sketch and photo portrait by George Mentor (signed).
1933
42
Studio Portraits in portfolios: Stimson and Bullitt children
1922-1935
43
Framed Portraits and framed materials of Thomas David Stimson, John Baillargeon, Paul Baillargeon, and Emma Baillargeon Stimson
1904-1930
43
Unidentified Photos
This box will be transferred after family members have had an opportunity to view and identify the images
undated
44
Photographic materials deposited by TSB Norcliffe documentary and family photos.
undated
45
Douglas C. Bayley photographic material
undated

Series 3:  PublicationsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
46
General Subjects
General subjects in alphabetical order. Includes Tour guides, programs, booklets, and reviews of architecture and design, travel, fine arts, and music.
undated
47
J. A. Baillargeon's sheet-music portfolio.
undated
48
Postcard album of the historic sites of Japan with insert of Historical Sketch of the Art of Japan by Richard E. Fuller
1934
48
Postcard album of the historical and cultural views of Japan
1934
49
Clippings and newspaper sections related to family and local history.
27 items
Includes J. A. Baillargeon business and personal history.
1911-1962
50
Pamphlets: The Metropolitan [Building Company] Bulletin; Travel guides of European sites.
1923-1936
51
Oversize Travel Documentation
Maps (Firenze, Nice), menu (Munich), and publication with botanical specimens (Jerusalem).
undated

Series 4:  Manuscript Materials Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
52
Memorials to Emma Baillargeon Stimson
Includes acknowledgment of letters and memorial gifts.
1963-1964
52
Five original manuscript musical compositions
Four of the five compositions are inscribed by composers to J. A. Baillargeon, one is written by Dorothy S. Bullitt.
undated
52
Leather cover of Memorial Album of Thomas Douglas Stimson
1931-1932
52
Memorials to Harriet Overton Stimson
1936
53
Memorials to Emma Baillargeon Stimson
1963
54
Memorials to Thomas Douglas Stimson
1931-1932
55
Biographical and Historical materials of Stimson and Baillargeon families
Biographical and historical materials related to Stimson and Baillargeon families, businesses, poetry and writings. Biographical is alphabetical by surname. Includes family Year End Summaries. Historical is alphabetical by subject. Poetry is alphabetical by author surname.
undated
56
Biographical materials of Emma Baillargeon Stimson
Letter from the American Embassy in Tokyo for permission to visit the Imperial Treasure House at Nara.
1934
57
Clubs and Organizations
Includes notices, correspondence of clubs and organizations of which Emma B. Stimson was Trustee or Benefactor.
undated
58
Biographical information of Thomas Douglas Stimson
undated
59
Documentation of Asian art objects owned by Emma Baillargeon Stimson with records of distribution
undated
60
Oversize significant mementos of Emma Baillargeon Stimson
Includes marriage certificate, marriage license, audience with the Pope, children's height and weight charts, patron certificates of New York World's Fair in 1939, and the Smithsonian.
1921-1939
61
Educational Materials of Emma B. Stimson: Trinity College and continuing education
1906-1955

Series 5:  Ephemera Return to Top

Ephemeral materials are those created for one-time use or limited distribution, and in this collection are related to all lifetime activities of Stimson and Baillargeon family members. Newspaper clippings serrated from the page are filed here, while newspaper sections and full pages are with publications. Scrapbooks are included here.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
62
Scrapbook of biographical materials
Scrapbook contents loose and in alphabetical by surname, Baillargeon-Skoog. Historical materials alphabetical by subject, aviation-Seattle.
undated
63
Scrapbook of documentations of Seattle Art Museum, M. E. And R. E. Fuller, associates and family from newspapers and articles
Scrapbook created by Emma Baillargeon Stimson.
undated
63
Scrapbook recording World War II European and Pacific Theaters, local reactions, and family wartime news
Scrapbook created by Thomas David Stimson
undated
64
Scrapbook of autobiographical materials and articles relating to friends and family
Scrapbook created by Emma Baillargeon Stimson. Includes Frances Ann Stimson wedding to frank Bayley and full biographies.
undated
65
Scrapbook of social life in Seattle
Scrapbook created by Thomas Douglas Stimson.
1908-1911
66
Scrapbook of Scout Jamboree in Hungary, Homes scenes, and Thomas David Stimson's father's grave.
Scrapbook created by Thomas Douglas Stimson.
1929-1931
66
Clippings and Memorials to Thomas Douglas Stimson
1931
67
Scrapbook of Cascadilliana
Scrapbook created by Thomas Douglas Stimson.
1902-1904

Series 6:  Art and GraphicsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
68
Plans, illustrations and maps
Includes architectural drawings for an apartment, ink sketch and poster color sketch by Jackson Greene.
undated

Series 7:  CollectionsReturn to Top

Collections are assemblages created prior to the establishment of the archives, which have an internal relationship and are not intended to be separated.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
69
Stimson Building Cornerstone Contents
Created by Metropolitan Building Company, opened by Dorothy Stimson Bullitt in 1970. Some items are missing from the inventory and were distributed by Dorothy Stimson Bullitt after 1970.
1925

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Art patrons--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Women--Washington (State)--Seattle--Social life and customs--Archives

Personal Names

  • Baillargeon, Joseph Arthur
  • Stimson, Charles Douglas
  • Stimson, Emma Baillargeon--Archives
  • Stimson, Emma Baillargeon--Art patronage--History--Sources
  • Stimson, Emma Baillargeon--Family--Archives
  • Stimson, Harriet, 1862-1939
  • Stimson, Thomas Douglas

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Art Museum--History--Sources

Family Names

  • Baillargeon family
  • Stimson family