Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition photograph collection, 1908-1909

Overview of the Collection

Collector
University of Washington. Libraries. Special Collections Division
Title
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition photograph collection
Dates
1908-1909 (inclusive)
Quantity
95 photographs and prints (1 box and 7 folders) ; sizes vary
Collection Number
PH0792
Summary
Photographs of the buildings, grounds and events of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
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

Selections from the collection can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view the originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) held in Seattle, Washington, was the spectacular result of nearly 10 million dollars and four years of effort. The Klondike Gold Rush made Seattle the dominant city in the Pacific Northwest, as the major supplier to Alaska. The goal of the 1909 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.

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 inches was allowed to take unlimited photographs of the buildings, exhibits and other features. In February, 1909, newspaper articles encouraged Seattle residents to take photographs of the construction and send them "back home" to people outside the city as incentive to attend the upcoming Exposition.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Photographs of the buildings, events, ephemera, exhibits, grounds and visitors to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exhibition.

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.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

Processed by Marion Brown, 2008; Don Romero, 2013

Transferred from the University of Washington subject file in 2007.

2 photographic prints transferred from the Seattle Subject File, 2016.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Buildings and ExhibitsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/1 BAD1
Administration Building
Webster & Stevens (Photographer)
1908?
1/1 BAD2
Administration Building and the Machinery Hall
1909
1/1 BAG1
Entrance of the Agriculture Building
1909
1/1 BAG2
Agriculture Building viewed across Geyser Basin
1909
1/1 BAG3 1909
1/1 BCA1 1909
1/1 BED1
Educational Building Exhibit: Finishing corner of shop
Written on verso: Olympia High School Shop. All equipment built by the boys. Finishing corner showing a few of the many articles made by the boys. Manual training has paid its own way in Olympia.
1909
1/1 BEU1 1909
1/1 BFO1
Corner of the Forestry Building
Alfred S. Miller (photographer)
1909
1/1 BFO2
Forestry Building
Romans Photo Co (Photographer)
1909
1/1 BFO3
Forestry Building behind Nome Circle
May 23, 1909
1/1 BFO4
Train bringing the "Big Stick" for exhibit in the Forestry Building
Written on verso: Tree cut from Tyee Camp of E.G. English Lumber Co. Timber 4' x 74'. Timber hewed by Jack Davis and helper. Picture taken at English Headquarters camp, 2 miles east of Conway. Shipped to AYP on 2 G. N. flat cars from Skagit XX intersection GNRR & English RR, 2 miles south of Conway.
1909?
box:oversize
XH6 BFO5
Forestry Building
Written on verso: Museum of Natural History built for the Alaska-Yukon Exposition, 1909, on approximately the site of the present Student Union Bldg. at U. of W. Was in use up to the late 20s when termites made it unsafe. The wood had not been properly treated. Benjamin S. Malloy, 1969.This photo has been hand-colored.
between 1909 and 1925?
Box/Folder
1/1 BFO6
Forestry Building viewed from side
1909?
1/2 BHA1 1909
1/2 BHH1 May 23, 1909
1/2 BMA1
Manufacturers Building
1909
1/2 BMA2
Manufacturers Building, King County Building, Machinery Hall and visitors on the grounds
1909
1/2 BMA3 1909
1/2 BMA4
Visitors on the grounds outside the Manufacturers Building, King County Building and Machinery Hall
1909
1/2 BMA5
Manufacturers Building and side view of Agricultural Building with people walking by
1909
1/2 BMA6
Side of the Manufacturers Building
1909
box:oversize
OS5 BNY1a-b
Photo of drawing of proposed New York State Building
E.S. Bonell, New York (Artist)
1909
Box/Folder
1/2 BNY2
Secretary William Seward's house in Auburn, New York
Written on verso: The New York State Building at the Alaska-Yukon Exposition was copied after this house.
undated
1/2 BNY3 September 10, 1909
1/3 BOR1 1909
1/3 BSC1
Produce in the Spokane County Exhibit in the Spokane County Building
Juul-Worm Photo. Co., St. Paul (photographer)
1909
1/3 BSC2
Grain in the Spokane County Exhibit in the Spokane County Building
1909
1/3 BTM1
Temple of Music
1909
1/3 BTM2
Temple of Music viewed across Geyser Basin
1909
1/3 BTM3
Temple of Music and rose garden
1909
1/3 BTM4 1909
1/3 BUS1 1909
1/3 BUS2
U.S. Government Building viewed across the Geyser Basin with fountain in foreground
1909
1/3 BUS3
U.S. Government Building
1909
1/3 BUS4
U.S. Government Building, European Building, Oriental Building, Alaska Building and Hawaii Building viewed from the Geyser Basin
May 23, 1909
1/3 BUS5
U.S. Government Building viewed from bottom of the Cascades
1909
1/3 BUS6
Family seated at bottom of the Cascades with U.S. Government Building
1909
1/3 BWA1 1909

Pay StreakReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/4 PSE1
Totem pole entrance to Pay Streak
1909
1/4 PSV1 1909
1/4 PSV2
Igorrote men with spears and shields in Igorrote Village
Oakes Photo Co (Photographer)
Copy of the postcard Oakes 1318.
1909
1/4 PSB1 1909
1/4 PSJ1 1909

Grounds and Aerial ViewsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/5 GBV1
Color copy ofAuthorized Bird's Eye Viewposter of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
1909
1/5 GME1 1909
1/5 GVN1
A.Y.P.E. grounds lit up at night
1909
1/5 GSM1 1909
1/5 GVB1 September 6, 1909
1/5 GBC1
Building under construction
1909
1/5 GOA1
Audience and band or orchestra in an open-air theater
Written on verso: The open auditorium down by Lake Washington-natural hollow- all they had to do was to terrace it to as to put the seats in place. Perfectly beautiful.Comments by Emma A. (Daisy) Egan, who worked at the fair.
1909
mapcase
M271 GAV1
Aerial panorama of Pay Streak, Military Camp, Portage Bay, Union Bay and Lake Washington
Broken into 2 parts.See GAV1a-e below for modern copy prints of panorama and each of the five sections.
1909
Box/Folder
1/5 GAV1a-e
Copy prints of GAV1
Modern copy prints of entire panorama and of each the five sections.
1909
box:oversize
OS5 GAV2
Color postcard ofOfficial Birds Eye Viewof AYPE
1909
mapcase
M271 GPV1
Panorama of the Manufacturers Building, Oriental Building, Hawaii Building and the U.S. Government Building
Oakes Photo Co (photographer)
Black and white image that has been hand-colored.
1909
M271 GPV2
Panorama of Forestry Building, Nome Circle, and Washington State Building
1909
box:oversize
XH6 GPV3 1909
mapcase:oversize
M266 GBP1
Preliminary Plan for the AYPE
Blueprint mounted on linen.Olmsted Brothers: Landscape Architects.George F. Cotterill: Consulting Engineer.
November 23, 1906

A.Y.P.E. related eventsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/6 EWB1 1909
1/6 EGB1-2
Crowds at the Official Groundbreaking Ceremony
Banner Photo Co (photographer)
June 1, 1907
1/6 EGB3
Crowds and marching band at the Official Groundbreaking Ceremony
Written on verso: Salt Lake City Estabulary Band. Brought to A.Y.P paying all expenses by Jacklin.
June 1, 1907
1/6 EGB4
Reverend Peter Francis Hylebos delivering the benediction at the ground-breaking ceremonies of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
June 1, 1907
1/6 EJT1 September 1, 1909
1/6 EJT2 September 1, 1909
1/6 EJT3 September 1909?
1/6 EJT4 September 1909?
1/6 EJT5 September 1909?
1/6 EDF1
Dirigible Flight with J.C. Mars
1909
1/6 EDF2-EDF3
Hot air balloon tied to the ground
1909

Downtown Seattle related to A.Y.P.E.Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/7 SD1 1909
1/7 SD2
Crowd of people around a bandstand at 3rd Avenue and Yesler Way, Seattle
1909
1/7 SD3
Line of decorated cars in a parade on 3rd Avenue, Seattle
Written on verso: Looking north on 3rd from Columbia (Central Building in foreground).
1909
1/7 SD4
Two decorated cars in a parade on 3rd Avenue, Seattle
Written on verso: Parade during summer of 1909. Seattle, WA. A.Y.P. Exposition.
1909
1/7 SD5
Decorated cars in a parade on 3rd Avenue, Seattle
1909
1/7 SD6 1909
1/7 SD7 1909
1/7 SD8
Parade with Chinese dragon on 2nd Avenue, Seattle
The parade may have been in celebration of China Day for the A.Y.P.E.
1909
1/7 SD9 1909
1/7 SD10
Looking north on 2nd Avenue from James Street during the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
1909
1/7 SD11
Parade with chinese dragon, downtown Seattle
The parade may have been in celebration of China Day for the A.Y.P.E.
1909
1/7 SD12
Parade with chinese dragon, 5th Avenue, Seattle
The parade may have been in celebration of China Day for the A.Y.P.E.
1909

VisitorsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/8 VAY1
The A.C. Warner family in a prop car
A. J. Park (Photographer)
1909
1/8 VAY2
Alice Dickson outside the Alaska Building
1909
1/8 VAY3
Alice Dickson with two others on A.Y.P.E. grounds
1909
1/8 VAY4 1909
1/8 VAY5
Woman sitting near the Cascades
1909
1/8 VAY6
Woman sitting near steps
1909

People and GroupsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/9 PAY1
Group portrait Executive Commissioners Association of the AYPE
Printed on verso is a Report of AYPE Commission with information on various exhibits.Some names are identified on verso: Frank Row, C.J. Smith, Jec, Josiah Collins, Henry Disch, Robert, Jap., Frank Wagger, Bobbie Boyce.
1909

MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/10 MAY1 1909
1/10 MAY2
Sculpture on the grounds or a building of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
1909
1/10 MAY3
Photograph of poster or newspaper page with map of the A.Y.P.E. grounds and photos of A.Y.P.E. buildings
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (photographer)
1909
box:oversize
XD4 MAY4
AYPE diploma awarded to Professor E.S. Meaney
October 16, 1909
OS5 MAY5
Printed plan of grounds and buildings of A.Y.P.E.
Olmsted Brothers: Landscape Architects.Howard Galloway: Supervising Architects.
1909
Box/Folder
1/10 MAY6
Three streetcars under construction or repair inside a large building
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
This photograph is included in this collection due to the handwritten note on verso, which indicates that this was part of a railroad equipment exhibit at the A.Y.P.E. This has not been confirmed.
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Exhibitions--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Farm produce--Exhibitions--Photographs
  • Tourists--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909 : Seattle, Wash.)--Aerial views
  • Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909 : Seattle, Wash.)--Buildings--Photographs
  • Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909 : Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs