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Viretta Chambers (Mrs. C.L.) Denny photographs and albums, 1894-1901
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Denny, Viretta Chambers, 1862-
- Title
- Viretta Chambers (Mrs. C.L.) Denny photographs and albums
- Dates
- 1894-1901 (inclusive)18941901
- Quantity
-
62 glass plate
negatives (3 boxes) ; various sizes
2 albums with 21 photographic prints (2 boxes) ; various sizes
41 photographic prints and 62 scans from glass plate negatives (1 box) ; various sizes - Collection Number
- PH0805
- Summary
- Photographs of landscapes in Seattle, Thurston and Snohomish Counties, family, and friends by Viretta Chambers (Mrs. C. L.) Denny
- 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
Entire 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
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Viretta Chambers Denny (1862-1951) was one of the nine daughters of Andrew Jackson Chambers (1825-1908), who is said to have been a relative of president Andrew Jackson. She grew up on Chambers Prairie in Thurston County, which were 700 acres of land owned by her father near Olympia, Washington. She attended the Washington Territorial University during the 1879-1880 school year, taking classes in the Commercial Course, but did not complete her degree. Her family was on personal terms with the University President, A. J. Anderson. She married Charles L. Denny on June 15, 1887 in Olympia. She and her husband were founding members of the first Seattle Camera Club which formed in 1895, as well as the Seattle Amateur Photographic Club in 1901. In addition to being a photographer, she was also a painter. She was a historian for the Seattle Historical Society (now the Museum of History and Industry).
The Denny family figures significantly in Seattle history. With his partner Elbert F. Blaine, C. L. Denny established the Denny-Blaine Land Company in 1899 and bought land to develop several parks in Seattle, forming the Denny-Blaine Lake Park neighborhood in the early 20th century. Viretta Denny and Mr. Blaine's wife, Minerva Stone Blaine, are commemorated in the names of Viretta Park and Minerva Fountain. Mr. and Mrs. Denny had two children: Andrew Chambers Denny (1893-1973) and Horton Hershel Denny (1888-1925). Andrew was named for Viretta's father, while Horton is the surname of a family closely connected with the Dennys; Dexter Horton, who partnered with Charles' father, Arthur Denny (1822-1899), in 1854.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Two albums of landscape views of various locations in and around Seattle (including Ravenna Park and Lake Washington), Monte Cristo, and Thurston County (including Deschutes River and Chambers Prairie).The collection also includes images of friends and family of Mrs. Denny participating in various social activities such as boating and gatherings at various residences. Also included are several still life views of flowers and birds, Denny Hall at the University of Washington and the U.S.S. Battleship Oregon .
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
The collection contains two albums, glass plate negatives, and prints. Several photographs appear in both albums or in an album and as prints. When an image appears in multiple locations, it is noted.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Source: Seattle Auction House, 2006. One album and glass plate negatives. The glass plate negatives came from the Seattle Auction House via Ravenna Rare Books.
Some original prints donated by Mrs. C.L. Denny (Viretta Denny) probably in the 1940s. The album "Views from Home" was probably donated by Mrs. Denny also.
Processing Note
Special housing was created for the two albums.
PH Coll 47, "Views from Home," the Thurston County Album, was merged with this collection in 2008. Prints transferred from the Seattle--Parks and Social Issues subject files, Ships subject files, and UW Denny Hall subject files in 2009, 2010 and 2013. Several prints transferred from the Chambers Family Photograph Collection in 2010.
Processed by Erin Whitney in 2009; Jennifer Hawkins in 2010 and 2011. Revised by Susan Fitch in 2013.
Related Materials
The Chambers Family Photograph Collection (PH Coll 2004-097) includes photographs of the Denny and Chambers families.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Albums of Landscape Photographs, 1895-1899Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Album 1 [Untitled] Photographs of Ravenna Park, Lake Washington, the Deschutes
River, Monte Cristo and other locations.
Inscription on the inside front cover: Pictures taken and
developed by Mrs. C.L. Denny - circa 1897-99.Inscription probably written by someone other than Mrs. Denny.
The glass plate negatives matching prints in the album had 1895 dates written
on the sleeves.
|
|||
| Box | item | ||
| 1 | 1-1 | Fallen trees and underbrush at
Ravenna Park Same as items 8a and 8b.Caption from sleeve of glass plate negative: Ravenna Lake June
14, 1895.
|
June 14, 1895 |
| 1 | 1-2 | Stream and leaves in Ravenna
Park Same as items 9a and 9b.
|
June 3, 1895 |
| 1 | 1-3 | circa 1895 | |
| 1 | 1-4 | View of lake and trees near Lake
Washington Same as items 7a and 7b.Caption from sleeve of glass plate negative: Lake Wash, July
23, 189[5].
|
July 23, 1895 |
| 1 | 1-5 | View of lake and trees at Lake
Washington Same as item 6Caption from sleeve of glass plate negative: July 6, 1896.
|
July 6, 1896 |
| 1 | 1-6 | View of mountain, trees and railroad
tracks at Monte Cristo Same as items 4a, 4b, and 4cCaption from sleeve of glass plate negative: Monte Cristo,
June 29, 1895.
|
June 29, 1895 |
| 1 | 1-7 | Clearing in forest with fallen trees
on ground, near Tenalquot Prairie Same as item 2-2.
|
circa 1895 |
| 1 | 1-8 | Deschutes River near Olympia,
Washington Same as item 2-1 and items 15a and 15b.Caption on page (probably not written by Mrs. Denny):
Deschutes River near Olympia.Caption from sleeve of glass plate negative: July 26,
1895.
|
July 26, 1895 |
| 1 | 1-9 | Clearing in forest near the Tenalquot
Prairie Same as item 2-4 and item 17.
|
Summer 1895 |
Album 2 "Views Near Home" Photographs of Deschutes River, Tenalquot Prairie, Chambers
Prairie, and other scenes of country life in Thurston County.
|
Summer 1895 | ||
| Box | item | ||
| 2 | 2-1 |
The ford at Deschutes River, near
Olympia, Washington Caption on page: "The Ford" = Des Chutes River.Same as item 1-8 and items 15a and 15b.
|
Summer 1895 |
| 2 | 2-2 |
Clearing in forest with fallen trees
on ground, near the Tenalquot Prairie Caption on page: Near the Tenalquot Prairie.Same as item 1-7.
|
Summer 1895 |
| 2 | 2-3 | Deschutes River Same as item 16.
|
July 26, 1895 |
| 2 | 2-4 | Above ground-level view of clearing
in forest, near the Tenalquot Prairie Caption on page: A Shady Dell = Tenalquot.Same as item 1-9 and item 17.
|
Summer 1895 |
| 2 | 2-5 |
Deschutes River and its tree-covered
banks Caption on page: Looking up the Stream = Des Chutes.
|
Summer 1895 |
| 2 | 2-6 |
Cows grazing around well Caption on page: By the "Old Well."
|
Summer 1895 |
| 2 | 2-7 |
Collapsing barn and tall
grass Caption on page: The Old Barn = 1848.
|
circa 1895 |
| 2 | 2-8 | Cows by old well near Chambers
Prairie Caption on page: Down in the Swamp.Same as item14.
|
July 27, 1895 |
| 2 | 2-9a-b |
Scenes of a road through the woods,
at Chambers Prairie, Thurston County Caption on page: Road scenes = Chambers Prairie.
|
Summer 1895 |
| 2 | 2-10a |
Road through woods Caption on page: The Old Rich Road.
|
Summer 1895 |
| 2 | 2-10b |
A woman and two children peering at
an object in the grass Caption on page: An Object of Interest = July 25 = ’95.
|
July 25, 1895 |
Landscape PhotographsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Monte Cristo |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/1 | 3 |
River and railroad tunnel at Monte
Cristo, Washington Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: River + Railroad Tunnel Monte
Cristo.
|
July 6, 1895 |
| 3/1 | 4a - 4c |
Forest slope and railroad tracks at
Monte Cristo, Washington Same as item 1-6Item 4b scanned from glass plate negative; item 4c cropped
print.Caption on negative sleeve: Monte Cristo.Written on verso of 4a: Standing on the railroad switchback,
looking down the Sauk River Valley. Everett & Monte Cristo railroad tracks
in foreground, Lewis Peak in background. Taken in mid-1880's.
|
July 29, 1895 |
Seattle |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/1 | 5 | ||
| 3/1 | 6 |
Lake Washington water and
woods Scanned from glass plate negativeSame as item 1-5Caption on negative sleeve: Lake Washington.
|
July 23, 1895 |
| 3/1 | 7a-7b |
Lake Washington water and
woods Same as item 1-4Item 7b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photoCaption on negative sleeve: Lake Wash.
|
July 6, 1896 |
| 3/1 | 8a-8b |
Ravenna Park woods Same as item 1-1Item 8b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photoCaption on negative sleeve: Ravenna Lake.
|
June 14, 1895 |
| 3/1 | 9a - 9b |
Ravenna Park foliage and
stream Same as item 1-2Item 9b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photo
|
June 3, 1895 |
| 3/1 | 10 |
Ravenna Park waterfall Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Waterfall Ravenna Park.
|
August 1894 |
| 3/1 | 11 |
Gravel path in park with benches,
landscaping, wooden building and trees Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Ravenna Park.Despite caption, this scene looks more like Kinnear Park than
Ravenna Park.
|
June 10, 1895 |
| 3/1 | 12 |
Ravenna Park woods and
stream Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Ravenna Park.
|
June 3, 1895 |
| 3/1 | 13 | ||
Thurston County |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/2 | 14 |
Cows by old well near Chambers
Prairie Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on photograph: Cows in the Swamp.Same as item 2-8
|
July 27, 1895 |
| 3/2 | 15a - 15b |
Deschutes River ford, near Olympia,
Washington Same as item 1-8 and 2-1Item 15b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photo.Caption on negative sleeve: The Ford Deschutes River.
|
July 26, 1895 |
| 3/2 | 16 |
Deschutes River Scanned from glass plate negativeSame as item 2-3Caption on negative sleeve: Deschutes River.
|
July 26, 1895 |
| 3/2 | 17 |
Woods near Tenalquot
Prairie Same as item 1-9
|
|
BoatingReturn to Top
Various men, women, and children participating in boating outings, both on the water and on shore. There appear to be four separate outings. These outings also seem to be near the house at 1030 McGilvra (possibly the Blaine residence), on the shore of Lake Washington in Seattle.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Outing 1 Men, women, and children in Mr. Elbert Blaine's Indian canoe.
The men are probably Mr. Blaine and Charles Denny.
|
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/3 | 18a - 18b |
People in canoe Item 18b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photo
|
1900 |
| 3/3 | 19a-19c |
People in canoe and young boy
standing on rock near shore Caption on back: Mr. Blaine’s Indien [sic.] canoe, Lk.
Wash.Item 19b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photoItem 19c is a duplicate print of Item 19a.
|
1900 |
| 3/3 | 20 | 1900 | |
| 3/3 | 21 | 1900 | |
| 3/3 | 22 |
Small boy in canoe on
shore Scanned from glass plate negative
|
1900 |
| 3/3 | 23 | 1900 | |
| 3/3 | 24a-24b |
Group of women and children sitting
on large tree branch on shore of Lake Washington Item 24b scanned from glass plate negativeSame group as in item 23
|
1900 |
| 3/3 | 25a-25b |
Four women posing in a line on shore
of Lake Washington Caption on negative sleeve: Elizabeth, Caroline, Mrs. White
and [Fisher ?].Item 25b scanned from glass plate negativeSame group of women as in item 23
|
1900 |
| 3/3 | 26a-26b |
Group of women and children among
tall rushes on shore of Lake Washington Caption on negative sleeve: Girls in the rushes.Item 26b scanned from glass plate negativeSame group as in item 23
|
1900 |
Outing 2 These photographs depict Elbert Blaine, Mrs. Thompson, and Miss
Helen Penfield riding in a canoe, and some images show an older woman, a boy,
and a little girl on shore in the background.
|
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/4 | 27a-27b |
Mr. Blaine, Mrs. Thompson, and Miss
Penfield in canoe, with older woman and children (one of whom is Andrew Denny)
on shore in background Item 27b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photo
|
ca. 1900 |
| 3/4 | 28 |
Mr. Blaine, Mrs. Thompson, and Miss
Penfield in canoe, with older woman and children (one of whom is Andrew Denny)
on shore in background Caption on back: 1030 McGilvra.This address could be in the Broadmoor area of Seattle, on
Lake Washington. This is just down the street from Denny Blaine Park.Caption on negative sleeve: (?) and Helen in Canoe.
|
ca. 1900 |
| 3/4 | 29-30 |
Mr. Blaine, Mrs. Thompson, and Miss
Helen Penfield in canoe Scanned from glass plate negativesCaption on negative sleeve for item 29: (?) + Helen in
Canoe.
|
ca. 1900 |
Outing 3 Woman in row boat with two girls and a boy.
|
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/5 | 31 | undated | |
| 3/5 | 32-34c | undated | |
Outing 4 Group of men, women, and children in and around Blaine's Indian
canoe on shore. Group includes Charles L. Denny (Viretta's husband) and Andrew
Chambers Denny, one of their sons.
|
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/6 | 35a-35b |
Elbert Blaine, Charles and Andrew
Denny with women and children on canoe excursion at Lake Washington Item 35b scanned from glass plate negative.Caption on negative sleeve: Canoe 1900.
|
1900 |
| 3/6 | 36-37 |
Elbert Blaine, Charles and Andrew
Denny with women and children on canoe excursion at Lake Washington Caption on back of item 36: C.L. & A.C. Denny.
|
1900 |
Family, Friends, and HomeReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Scenes at various houses |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/7 | 38 |
Young women named Sophia in
hammock Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Sophia in hammock.
|
August 1894 |
| 3/7 | 39 |
Group of women, including Sophia, in
and around hammock Scanned from glass plate negative
|
August 1894 |
| 3/7 | 40 |
Side of house and vine covered
tree Scan from glass plate negative
|
undated |
| 3/7 | 41 |
Andrew Chambers residence on Chambers
Prairie in Thurston County Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Home 1897.This is the home of Viretta Denny's parents, now the Indian
Summer development off Yelm Highway near Lacey, Washington.
|
1897 |
Old Cottage |
1900 | ||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/7 | 42 |
Women and children on porch of
cottage Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Old Cottage 1900.
|
1900 |
| 3/7 | 43-44 |
Woman and child in yard in front of
cottage Scanned from glass plate negatives.Caption on negative sleeve: Old Cottage 1900.
|
1900 |
Scenes at New Cottage The New Cottage is the same one where several of the boating
outings take place (1030 McGilvra), on the shore of Lake Washington in Seattle.
This series of photographs might possibly be the garden party given by Viretta
Denny which is written up in theSeattle Timeson
August 17, 1901. Mrs. Denny might have gotten the date wrong, using 27 instead
of 17. The newspaper story describes a garden party at her home on the shores
of Lake Washington. The guests were met at the Madison Street wharf and taken
by the LaunchLenorato the house. The article
states that the refreshments were served outdoors under some shade trees and
that about 200 ladies came to the reception. It is possible that some of the
boating photographs may depict this event also.
|
|||
Garden Party |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/8 | 45 |
Cottage and lawn Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Party on lawn Aug 27 1901.
|
August 27, 1901 |
| 3/8 | 46 |
Porch of cottage Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: New Cottage Garden Party.
|
August 27, 1901 |
| 3/8 | 47a-47c |
Cottage with group of women
gathered on porch Item 47a scanned from glass plate negative.Items 47b and 47c are duplicate prints of this image.
|
August 27, 1901 |
| 3/8 | 48a-48b |
Group of women on porch of
cottage Item 48b scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: New Cottage 1901.
|
August 27, 1901 |
| 3/8 | 49a-49b |
Group of women on lawn with Lake
Washington in background Item 49b scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Party on lawn.
|
August 27, 1901 |
| 3/8 | 50 |
Close up view of group of women and
young girl in hooded cape on lawn near lake Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Mrs. C.L. Denny.Caption indicates it is possible that Viretta Denny is
included in the photograph.
|
August 27, 1901 |
| 3/8 | 51 |
Woman sitting on bench with Native
American basket, near lakeshore Scanned from glass plate negative
|
August 27, 1901 |
| 3/8 | 52 |
Woman and boy on shore of Lake
Washington Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Cottage Garden Party.
|
August 27, 1901 |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/8 | 53a-53b |
Group of men, women, and children
climbing on fallen tree Item 53b scan from glass plate negative
|
undated |
| 3/8 | 54 |
Group of four women seated on log in
front of fallen tree Same fallen tree and women from group in items 52a and 52b
|
undated |
Photographs of People |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/9 | 55 |
Man in tree near the
shore Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: E.C.Man is probably member of the Chambers family.
|
April 20, 1896 |
| 3/9 | 56a | June 1894 | |
| 3/9 | 56b | Two boys and a girl on horseback, with woman holding
bridle Scan from original glass plate negative, which is a copy of
the photographCaption on negative sleeve: Children on horseback.
|
June 1894 |
| 3/9 | 57 |
Andrew Jackson Chambers and Andrew
Chambers Denny in phaeton buggy Scanned from glass plate negative.Caption on negative sleeve: Andrew and Grampa in Phaeton.
|
August 1896 |
| 3/9 | 58 |
Andrew Jackson Chambers on
horseback Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Father 1897.
|
Summer 1897 |
| 3/9 | 59 |
Group of people at Denny-Blaine Land
Park Addition, including Mr. Elbert Blaine Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Denny Blaine Land Park Add. Summer
1900.
|
Summer 1900 |
| 3/9 | 60 |
Woman in long coat Scanned from glass plate negative
|
undated |
| 3/9 | 61 |
Group of girls holding
invitations Scanned from glass plate negative
|
May 23, 1895 |
| 3/9 | 62 |
Woman posing in parlor Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Mrs. Fortson [?].
|
May 26, 1896 |
| 3/9 | 63 |
Two small girls, Helen and Ritta,
seated together in chair Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Helen and Rilla/Ritta.Viretta Chambers Denny's nickname was Retta; it is possible
these girls were relatives of Viretta Denny. The 1910 U.S. Census lists a Helen
Denny, born 1893, the daughter of Arthur W. and Kate Denny.
|
November 8, 1896 |
| 3/9 | 64 |
Group of children Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: Hattie, Lassie, and Helen.
|
1897 |
| 3/9 | 65 |
Portrait of man, woman, and
boy Scanned from glass plate negative
|
undated |
| 3/9 | 66 |
Portrait of man and boy Scanned from glass plate negative.
|
undated |
| 3/9 | 67 | [Not used in this
collection |
|
Still Life, Architecture and ShipsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 3/10 | 68-70 |
Jar of dogwood branches in
flower Scanned from glass plate negatives.Caption on negative sleeve: Jar of Dogwood.
|
May 1895 |
| 3/10 | 71 |
Dogwood flowers on table Scanned from glass plate negative.Caption on negative sleeve: Dogwood on Table.
|
May 1895 |
| 3/10 | 72-74 |
Stuffed owl Scanned from glass plate negativeCaption on negative sleeve: owl.
|
1896 |
| box:oversize | |||
| XC1 | 74b | Stuffed owl Print made by Henry Art Gallery in 2015.
|
1896 |
| Box/Folder | |||
| 3/10 | 75 | June 11, 1898 | |
| 3/10 | 76a-b |
Denny Hall, University of Washington,
seen from the east with scrub in foreground Item 76b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photo.Caption on negative sleeve: Denny Hall.
|
June 11, 1898 |
| 3/10 | 77a-b |
Denny Hall, University of Washington,
seen from the north Item 77b scanned from glass plate negative showing uncropped
version of photo.Caption on negative sleeve: Denny Hall.
|
June 11, 1898 |
| 3/10 | 78 |
U.S.S.
Montereyin Bremerton shipyard drydock TheU.S.S. Montereywas the first
ship to use the graving dock at what is now the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.Scanned from glass plate negative.Photograph is possibly not by Viretta Denny. All of her
negatives are 6"x 9" and this one is 5"x 7".
|
April 1896 |
| 3/10 | 79 | circa 1896-1898 | |
| 3/10 | 80 | circa 1895-1898 | |
| 3/10 | 81 |
Drawing of unidentified
building Scanned from glass plate negative.Caption on negative sleeve: M.B. March 14, 1897.
|
June 11, 1898 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Landscapes--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
Personal Names
- Denny, Viretta Chambers, 1862- --Photographs
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)--Photographs
Form or Genre Terms
- Albums
- Glass negatives
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
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