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Webster & Stevens photographs of the Leschi Boathouse and Madison Park Theatre, approximately 1900-1910
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Webster & Stevens
- Title
- Webster & Stevens photographs of the Leschi Boathouse and Madison Park Theatre
- Dates
- approximately 1900-1910 (inclusive)18951915
- Quantity
- 6 photographic prints (1 folder) ; sizes vary
- Collection Number
- PH0901
- Summary
- The photographs document the Leschi Boathouse and Madison Park Theatre in the early 20th century.
- 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 is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Ira Webster and Nelson Stevens, natives of Michigan, moved to Seattle in 1899. They opened a photography studio in the area in 1903, after several years of working for local photographers. Their motto was "Anything. Anytime. Anywhere." and they lived up to that motto.
Webster & Stevens photographed much of the work life around Puget Sound and their staff of photographers took more than 60,000 black-and-white photographs of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
Webster & Stevens were among the frontrunners of the use of photography in commercial advertising, photojournalism, and industry throughout Washington's Puget Sound area. They provided photographic services to many Northwest businesses, including being the exclusive photographers for the Seattle Times from 1906 to 1943.
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
In Madison Park’s early days there was a beach community, with lakeside amenities including a boardwalk, a bandstand, bathing pavilions, boathouses, and a ball park. In the late 1800s and well into the early 1900s, the centerpiece of Madison Park entertainment was a large Victorian structure on the Lake known then as the Madison Street Park Pavilion. The Pavilion's auditorium seated 500 and there was outdoor seating for hundreds more. Another major feature of the building was its large covered observation deck at the top. The beach community was apparently known as Laurel Shade until Madison Park founder John J. McGilvra donated a large section of his Lakefront property for a park, initially known as the Madison Street Park, later shortened to just Madison Park.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection features scenes of the Leschi Boathouse and Madison Park Theatre in the early 20th century. All of the photographs were made by Webster and Stevens.
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
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Leschi BoathouseReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1 | 1 | circa 1900-1910 | |
| 1 | 2 | circa 1900-1910 | |
| 1 | 3 | circa 1900-1910 |
Madison Park Boathouse and TheatreReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1 | 4 | circa 1900-1910 | |
| 1 | 5 | circa 1900-1910 | |
| 1 | 6 | circa 1900-1910 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Boathouses--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Parks--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Corporate Names
- Webster & Stevens
Geographical Names
- Leschi Park (Seattle, Wash.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs
- Leschi Park (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
- Madison Park (Seattle, Wash. : Park)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs
- Madison Park (Seattle, Wash. : Park)--Photographs
