Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Darwin Meisnest photograph collection, 1907-1947
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Meisnest, Darwin
- Title
- Darwin Meisnest photograph collection
- Dates
- 1907-1947 (inclusive)19071927
- Quantity
- 210 photographic prints (1 box)
- Collection Number
- PH0082
- Summary
- Photos of University of Washington student activities and sports, and portraits of individuals affiliated with the university. Also included are photographs documenting the construction of the stadium and the athletic pavilion as well as panoramic views of the campus.
- 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 required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
- 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
Darwin Meisnest was a member of the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) during his time as a student from 1915-1919. For his senior year, Darwin was the general manager of all student activities for the ASUW. In 1918, Weisnest was named the first student to be accepted to the Officers Material School at the Naval Training Station after trying and failing to join the army three times. As a student, he also worked for The Daily, the Washingtonian, the University magazine, business manager of the Tyee, representative to the Board of Control, basketball team manager, a member of the Oval Club, and member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. After his graduation with a degree in Liberal Arts in 1919, he became the Graduate Manager of the ASUW, a position he held from 1920 to 1928.
Meisnest is widely attributed with leading the effort to build a sports stadium on campus, Washington stadium, which later developed into Husky Stadium. The stadium brought in a surplus of money after its construction and Meisnest was given the credit for the commercial success. He also was the Wayfarer assistant manager and executive secretary. Controversy emerged late in Meisnest’s time at UW when he was essentially given a blank check to build the UW athletic pavilion near the stadium. Its $600,000 budget was opposed by then ASUW president and future US representative, Marion Zioncheck. Zioncheck and Meisnest’s “civil war” is not noted as playing a part in Darwin Meisnest’s decision to leave his position. In 1928, he accepted a position as the assistant sales manager for the Pacific Coast Cement Company in Seattle to run their $3 million budget and was replaced by Earl F. Campbell.
Darwin Meisnest retained his close relationship with UW and the sports program in specific. He later served on as the Chairman for the alumni board for the crew team to raise funds to provide new equipment to the team and facilitate their travel. Upon his death, he left $5000 to the UW athletics program. The Meisnest memorial was dedicated in 1956 by Henry Schmitz.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists of an album depicting University of Washington student and sports activities, including football rallies, women's hockey and basketball, fencing, track and field, May Day celebrations, various clubs, and military training.
Also included in the collection are portraits of individuals affiliated with the university (athletes, coaches, university president, etc.) and local dignitaries such as Washington Governor Louis F. Hart and Seattle Mayor Hugh M. Caldwell. In addition, there are photographs which document the construction of, and activities in the stadium, as well as photographs of the athletic pavilion. There are photographs of the University of Washington campus, as well as Frederick Meisnest, Darwin's father and a professor of German at the University of Washington. Some of the photographs were taken by Asahel Curtis, Webster & Stevens, and Lloyd G. Linkletter.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Separated Materials
Material Described Separately:Darwin Meisnest papers (Mss Coll 2945-001)
Acquisition Information
Donor: Mrs. Darwin Meisnest Williams, March, 1980.
Processing Note
Processed by Rebekah Dalby, 2002.
Photograph Coll. 116 (the album, containing items 1-137) and Photograph Coll. 82 have been merged. The album had disintegrated and the photographs were therefore removed, but the original order of the photos was retained. The album's page numbers directly correspond to the folder numbers.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
University of Washington Album, approximately 1910-1915Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/1 | 1 | "First
All-American yell king" Bill Horsley |
Jan. 1, 1911 |
1/2 | 2-5 | November 27, 1912 | |
1/3 | 6 | 1914? | |
1/4 | 7 | Dance |
1914? |
1/4 | 8 | Cadet
ball |
1914? |
1/5 | 9-10 | Dance |
1914? |
1/6 | 11 | 1913? | |
1/6 | 12 | 1913? | |
1/7 | 13-18 | 1912 | |
1/8 | 19-20 | 1912 | |
1/9 | 21 | Students sitting
on steps |
1913? |
1/10 | 22 | Female students
in costume |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/11 | 23 | 1913 | |
1/11 | 24-25 | 1913 | |
1/11 | 26 | Shirtless
athletes outside gymnasium |
1913? |
1/12 | 27 | 1913 | |
1/12 | 28 | Runner for
University of Washington |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/12 | 29 | 1910? | |
1/13 | 30 |
Spectators in
bleachers during Roosevelt Day Linkletter, Lloyd G. (photographer)
|
April 6, 1911 |
1/14 | 31 | 1913? | |
1/14 | 32 | Sports team,
probably football |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/14 | 33 | 1913? | |
1/15 | 34-35 | 1913? | |
1/15 | 36 | 1913 | |
1/15 | 37 | Men on each
other's backs in a pyramid |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/15 | 38 | Football
player |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/16 | 39-40 | Men jumping
hurdles |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/16 | 41 | Men running in
race |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/16 | 42 | 1913? | |
1/17 | 43 | Women in costume
outdoors |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/17 | 44 | May 9, 1912 | |
1/18 | 45 | Female students
in costume Same image as item 22.
|
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/18 | 46 | Female students
sitting on steps |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/18 | 47 | Female students
posing in front of open window |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/18 | 48 | Female students
on steps |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/18 | 49-50 | 1913 | |
1/19 | 51 | Men singing on
steps for a crowd on Campus Day Written on photo: After dinner music.
|
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/19 | 52 | 1913? | |
1/19 | 53 | Men
walking |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/19 | 54 | 1913? | |
1/19 | 55 |
Graduates
standing to form the letters UW Linkletter, Lloyd G. (photographer)
|
1909 |
1/19 | 56 | Men in tuxedos
outdoors |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/20 | 57-59 |
Pre-game or
halftime entertainment with "the Hook" The Hook was an emblem of victory used to strike fear in the
hearts of the University of Washington's football adversaries. It was the
concept of Bill Horsley, first All-American yell king, in 1911. The Knights of
the Hook was an underclass honor society organized for the sole purpose of
guarding the Hook at all times.
|
1913? |
1/20 | 60 | Picnickers
sitting at benches in the shape of a "W," Campus Day |
1913? |
1/20 | 61 |
Spectators
watching the Washington vs. California football game at Denny Field This is two photos attached together to create a panorama.
|
1916 |
1/21 | 62 | 1913? | |
1/21 | 63 | 1913? | |
1/21 | 64 | 1912? | |
1/21 | 65 | 1912? | |
1/21 | 66 | Football team
practicing Written on verso: Dobie's Team Champions.
The Atelier, Seattle,
Washington (photographer)
|
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/21 | 67 | 1912 | |
1/22 | 68 | Man squatting on
sports field Photo is missing.
|
|
1/22 | 69 | Water
tower |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/22 | 70 | Bonfire Written on photo: O.A.C.
|
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/22 | 71 |
Rally for
Washington vs. Whitman football game Linkletter, Lloyd G. (photographer)
|
October 21, 1911 |
1/23 | 72 | 1913? | |
1/23 | 73 | 1913? | |
1/23 | 74 | November 8, 1912 | |
1/23 | 75 | Students
carrying large chimes or bells |
1912? |
1/23 | 76 | 1912 | |
1/23 | 77 |
Students in
costume for Washington vs. Pullman football rally The Atelier, Seattle,
Wash. (photographer)
|
1912? |
1/24 | 78 | Men standing on
steps of Denny Hall with rakes, possibly Campus Day |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/24 | 79 | Group of men
outdoors |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/24 | 80 | 1914 | |
1/24 | 81 | Man feigning
injury while "nurses" attend to him |
between 1910 and 1920? |
1/24 | 82 | Crowd watching
two men on stage |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/25 | 83a-b | University
[ROTC?] band and cadets |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/25 | 84 | University
[ROTC?] band and cadets |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/26 | 85 | Students
carrying another student Written on verso: Kangaroo Court.
|
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/26 | 86 | 1915? | |
1/26 | 87 | 1912 | |
1/26 | 88 |
Students posing
in mock police raid, University of Washington Written on photo: The Pew-rity Squad
|
1912 |
1/27 | 89 | People arriving
at event |
1915? |
1/27 | 90 | Men in a
"wheelbarrow" race |
1915? |
1/27 | 91 | Men in a
two-legged race |
1915? |
1/27 | 92 | 1915? | |
1/27 | 93a-b | Women playing
baseball |
1915? |
1/27 | 94 | Men "spanking"
another man |
1915? |
1/28 | 95-98 | Picnic in the
woods |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/28 | 99 | Women and canoe
near lake |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/29 | 100-105 | 1912 | |
1/30 | 106-110 | 1910 | |
1/30 | 111 | 1913 | |
1/31 | 112-114 | Picnic in the
woods |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/31 | 115 | Men and women
standing in the woods |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/31 | 116 | 1912 | |
1/31 | 117 | 1910? | |
1/32 | 118-122 | 1912 | |
1/32 | 123 | Downtown Seattle
decorated with flags and banners |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/33 | 124 | Man standing
outdoors |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/33 | 125 | 1913? | |
1/33 | 126 | 1915? | |
1/34 | 127 | Old North Hall
steps at University of California, Berkeley |
1915 |
1/34 | 128-130 | "Canoe War,"
Junior Day |
1910 |
1/34 | 131 | Couple standing
on dock |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/34 | 132 | Women in foot
race |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/34 | 133 | Runners in a
race |
between 1910 and 1915? |
1/35 | 134-137 | Groups of
students on steps of Denny Hall |
between 1910 and 1915? |
University of Washington AthleticsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/36 | 138 | Darwin Meisnest
with Sigma Chi basketball team |
between 1920 and 1926? |
1/36 | 139 | Basketball
team |
1921 |
1/36 | 140-141 | 1916 | |
1/36 | 142 | Crew
member |
1916 |
1/36 | 143 | 1922 | |
1/36 | 144 | Sprinter Charles
Paddock and Vic Hudley |
between 1916 and 1922? |
1/36 | 145 | UW Ball
Team Top row, L to R: Chamberlain, B. Pigott, A. Neilson, A. Rode,
Torchy Torrance, B. McCrosky, R. Milhaus, R. Leonard. Bottom row, L to R: J.
Prim, Darwin Meisnest, Spike Maloney, C. Zamberlin, Coach L. Allison, [Bill
Foran?], P. Land.
Webster & Stevens,
Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
|
1920 |
Stadium Groundbreaking and Construction, 1920Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/37 | 146 | Diamond Cement
boat on Seattle waterfront The cement was probably used in stadium construction.
|
1920? |
1/37 | 147 |
Darwin Meisnest
and men with bags of Pacific Coast Cement Company Diamond Cement Left to right: Nat Moore, Darwin Meisnest, Floris Nagelvort,
Arthur Murphy.
|
1920 |
1/37 | 148 | 1920? | |
1/37 | 149 | 1920? | |
1/37 | 150 | April 16, 1920 | |
1/37 | 150a | Mayor Hugh
Caldwell and Dr. Henry Suzzallo holding horse drawn plow at groundbreaking
ceremony for stadium |
April 16, 1920 |
1/37 | 151 | Darwin Meisnest
and men standing in field Left to right: Darwin Meisnest, Sam Hedges, ___ Arnold, Dr.
Henry Suzzallo, Hugh Caldwell.
|
1920? |
1/37 | 152 | Governor Louis
Hart speaking on stage with Dr. Henry Suzzallo standing behind him Probably taken during opening ceremony for stadium.
|
1920? |
1/37 | 153 |
Stadium
construction Caption on image: North east from top of bowl, center line
axis. U. of W. Stadium, P.S. Bridge & Dredging Co.
Curtis, Asahel (photographer)
|
Oct. 19, 1920 |
Completed StadiumReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/38 | 154 |
Airplane
flagship Seattle flying over stadium Linkletter Studio (photographer)
The flagship Seattle was part of a
historic aviation event: the first globe-circling flight in aviation history,
with four Douglas World Cruiser biplanes (including the Seattle) departing
Seattle, Washington, on April 6, 1924 and heading westward for Asia via Alaska.
Only two of the planes completed the journey, however. The
Seattle crashed into a mountain in Alaska.
|
April 6, 1924 |
1/38 | 155 |
Upside-down
airplane south of the new stadium Words on the wings read: Welcome Dartmouth.
|
November 1920 |
1/38 | 156 | November 1920 | |
1/38 | 157 | Darwin Meisnest,
team managers, and bulldog in front of stadium |
1921 |
1/38 | 158 | Women during
commencement ceremony in stadium |
1920? |
1/38 | 159 |
Half-time
ceremonies at the Washington vs. Dartmouth football game Webster & Stevens,
Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
|
November 27, 1920 |
1/38 | 160 |
Aerial view of
stadium and campus Mac (photographer)
|
1925 |
item | |||
161 | not used
|
||
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/39 | 162 | Darwin Meisnest
and football squad |
1921 |
Athletic Pavilion, 1926-1927Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/40 | 163 | Breaking ground
for new sports pavilion Left to right: Darwin Meisnest, D. Black, George Guttormsen,
Charles May.
|
1926 |
1/40 | 164-164a | 1927? | |
1/40 | 165 |
Cars parked
outside pavilion on dedication night Lester Rounds, Seattle,
Wash. (photographer)
|
1928? |
Darwin Meisnest and OthersReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/41 | 166a-b | Darwin
Meisnest 166a and 166b are both mounted on the same card stock.
|
between 1915 and 1925? |
1/41 | 167a-d | Darwin
Meisnest |
between 1910 and 1925? |
1/41 | 167e-f | Ruth
Meisnest |
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/41 | 167g | Ruth and Darwin
Meisnest |
between 1920 and 1940? |
1/41 | 167h-i | Darwin Meisnest
in Naval officer uniform Grady, Seattle (photographer)
|
between 1930 and 1950? |
1/41 | 167j | Darwin Meisnest
being presented with a document, possibly by Admiral King U.S. Navy (photographer)
|
between 1930 and 1950? |
1/41 | 168 | Darwin Meisnest,
Wylie Hemphill, with man signing paper |
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/41 | 169 | Darwin Meisnest
and other men standing behind boxes for the Americanus pageant Cress-Dale Photo Co,
Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
|
between 1917 and 1923? |
1/41 | 170 | Darwin Meisnest
and Wylie Hemphill with group of men stoking furnace |
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/41 | 171 | Darwin Meisnest
and Monty Lynch with another man standing in front of tent Curtis, Asahel (photographer)
|
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/41 | 172 | Darwin Meisnest
and Coach C. Hunt with other men |
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/41 | 173 | Darwin Meisnest,
Helen McGovern, and man counting money in the ASUW office |
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/42 | 174 | Darwin Meisnest,
Merv McGinnis, and Matt Hillat work in the ASUW office |
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/42 | 175 | Mrs. Harry
Gowman christening the new shell presented to the Husky crew by Mr.
Gowman |
1925 |
1/42 | 176 | Men standing in
front of bleachers Top row, left to right: Charley May, Ross McGovern, and
others. Bottom row, left to right: Darwin Meisnest, L.J. Ayer, Dean
Thompson.
|
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/42 | 177 | Darwin Meisnest
with Pacific Coast Coal Company members |
between 1920 and 1930? |
1/42 | 178 | University of
Washington crew coach Rusty Callow and Darwin Meisnest |
between 1922 and 1927 |
1/42 | 179 | Darwin Meisnest
and Dr. Suzzallo with other men Nowell, Frank H.,
Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
|
1923? |
1/42 | 180a-b | Birthday
luncheon for Professor Frederick W. Meisnest Frederick W. Meisnest's sons, Darwin and Kenneth are both in
photograph. Others are identified on verso.
|
November 29, 1938 |
1/42 | 181 | Darwin and Ruth
Meisnest driving in a 1907 Oldsmobile with Foster and Helen McGovern seated in
backseat |
between 1935 and 1940? |
1/43 | 182a-b | Darwin Meisnest
with his United States Navy company |
1918 |
1/44 | 183a | Darwin
Meisnest's United States Navy company |
1918 |
1/44 | 183b | Probably
University of Washington Athletic staff Front row: Meisnest, Butler, Torrance, Bagshaw, Arbuthnot.
Back row: Spellman, Callow, Sutton, Graves, Edmundson.
|
between 1920 and 1925? |
1/44 | 183c | University of
Washington Athletic staff Front row: E. Bagshaw, D. Meisnest, B. Spellman, T. Torrance,
J. Arbuthnot. Back row: Tubby Graves, C. May, W. Sutton, H. Edmundson. R.
Callow.
|
1926? |
1/45 | 184 | Eleanor
Roosevelt with christening bottle of champagne |
between 1930 and 1940? |
1/45 | 185 | Lorraine Allen
and man on boat |
between 1920 and 1940? |
1/45 | 186 | Torchy
Torrance |
between 1920 and 1940? |
1/45 | 187 | Crew coach Rusty
Callow on boat with others |
between 1922 and 1927? |
1/45 | 188 | Edmond S. Meany
and Dr. Hall in front of columns Curtis, Asahel (photographer)
|
between 1930 and 1935? |
University of Washington CampusReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/46 | 189 | University of
Washington campus Webster & Stevens,
Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
|
1915? |
1/46 | 190 |
View of UW
campus and stadium from water tower Webster & Stevens,
Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
Part one of two-part panorama.
|
1915? |
1/46 | 191 | 1915? | |
1/46 | 192 |
View of Union
Bay from the water tower Webster & Stevens,
Seattle, Wash. (photographer)
|
1915? |
Frederick W. MeisnestReturn to Top
Frederick W. Meisnest was Darwin's father, a professor of German at the University of Washington.
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/47 | 193 | Attendees at birthday luncheon for Frederick W.
Meisnest |
November 28, 1941 |
1/47 | 194 | Attendees at birthday party for Frederick W.
Meisnest |
November 26, 1943 |
1/47 | 195 | Attendees at birthday party for Frederick W.
Meisnest List of attendees in case file.
Howard L. Staples Photography (photographer)
|
November 28, 1947 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- College athletes--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- College buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- College sports--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- College students--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- College students--Washington (State)--Seattle--Societies, etc.--Photographs
- Running races--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Sports facilities--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Stadiums--Washington (State)--Seattle--Design and construction
- Stadiums--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Universities and colleges--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Caldwell, Hugh Milton, 1881-1955--Photographs
- Hart, Louis Folwell, 1862-1929--Photographs
- Meany, Edmond S. (Edmond Stephen), 1862-1935--Photographs
- Meisnest, Darwin--Photographs
- Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962--Photographs
- Suzzallo, Henry, 1875-1933--Photographs
Corporate Names
- Edmundson Pavilion (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
- Husky Stadium (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
- University of Washington--Buildings--Photographs
- University of Washington--Football--Photographs
- University of Washington--Officials and employees--Photographs
- University of Washington--Presidents--Photographs
- University of Washington--Rowing--Photographs
- University of Washington--Societies, etc.--Photographs
- University of Washington--Sports--Photographs
- University of Washington--Students--Photographs
- University of Washington. Associated Students--Photographs
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Curtis, Asahel, 1874-1941 (photographer)
- Linkletter, Lloyd G (photographer)
- Nowell, Frank H., 1864-1950 (photographer)
Corporate Names
- Linkletter Studio (photographer)
- Webster & Stevens (photographer)