Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Colman and Pierce families papers, 1872-1990
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Colman family ; ; Pierce family
- Title
- Colman and Pierce families papers
- Dates
- 1872-1990 (inclusive)18721990
1900-1950 (bulk)19001950 - Quantity
- 5 boxes, (1.91 cubic feet)
- Collection Number
- 2007.39 (accession)
- Summary
- Photographs, albums, and ephemera related to the Colman and Pierce families of West Seattle, as well as oral histories and photocopies compiled while researching family history
- Repository
-
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org - Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open to the public by appointment.
- Languages
- English.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
The Colman and Pierce families were among the earliest settlers of the Fauntleroy neighborhood in West Seattle, and were very active in area’s development. Laurence and Ida Colman were the first members of the family to settle in Fauntleroy and were particularly involved in the community, along with their children. Laurence’s father, James M. Colman, was born in Scotland in 1832 and came to the U.S. in 1854, arriving in Seattle in 1861. He was involved in the timber, mill, and shipping industries. In 1872, once he was well established in Seattle, he brought his family from Wisconsin to live with him. He and his wife Agnes had two sons, Laurence (born in 1859) and George.
Laurence and James became intrigued with Fauntleroy in 1906 while looking for a place to build a summer cottage for the family; they bought 17 acres of land there that year, which would become the Colman-Pierce property “Laurentide.” Following James’s death in late 1906, Laurence built a home on the property and moved there with his wife, Ida, and their children Agnes, Kenneth, Katharine and Isabel in 1907. Laurence’s concern for youth development led him to set up vocational and carpentry classes for local boys; he and Ida were also involved with Sunday school programs at Fauntleroy Community Church. In 1914 he built a camp on his Horsehead Bay property and began taking local children there in the summer of 1915. Also in 1914, Laurence was one of the founders of the Fauntleroy YMCA Community Center, which became a formal YMCA branch in 1924. The Horsehead Bay camp later became the YMCA’s Camp Colman (the Colman family also donated the property for the YMCA’s Camp Orkila on Orcas Island).
Laurence and Ida’s daughter Isabel, born in Seattle in 1902, attended Oberlin College and the University of Washington and received a B.S. in Math and an M.S. in Chemistry before marrying Lawrence Pierce in 1929. Pierce came to Seattle from Massachusetts in 1926 and worked for various companies including Puget Sound Power and Light and the J.M. Colman Company. Lawrence and Isabel lived in Fauntleroy except for four years while Lawrence served as the first State Treasurer of the Unemployment Compensation Division. Back in Fauntleroy, Isabel served on the boards of a number of community and charitable organizations, including the YWCA, the Ruth School for Girls, and the Women’s University Club. The Pierces had five children, including John Pierce who still lives in Fauntleroy with his wife Leilia.
(Adapted from Fauntleroy Legacy by Roy W. Morse and E. Richard Brown)
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains family papers, photographs and albums kept by members of the Colman and Pierce families. The photographs and albums depict family members, homes, and scenery. The papers include clippings, flyers, wedding invitations, and programs. In addition to these family documents, the collection also includes materials assembled from the two families' collections by a group researching Fauntleroy’s history, as well as oral history interviews conducted by another group researching the Colman and Pierce families.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory below.
Restrictions on Use
The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Colman and Pierce families papers, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged into five series:
- Photographs
- Photograph albums
- Research materials
- Books
- Ephemera
Location of Collection
3a.4.4Acquisition Information
Gift of John and Leilia Pierce, June 6, 2007.
Processing Note
Processed by Madeleine Mundt.
Two binders of research materials assembled by E. Richard Brown were disassembled for preservation purposes. Original materials were removed from the binders and placed with other original family documents and clippings in an attempt to restore perceived original order. Photocopies were kept in the order created by Brown and placed in folders with other research materials.
Separated Materials
These materials are part of a donation that also included a number of artifacts. These artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections Department.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Photographs, circa 1890s-1948Return to Top
Items 1 through 30 are negatives; viewing prints are available for five of these. Items .31 through .78 are original prints.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
.1-.8: Pierce-Colman home during regrade Glass negatives ; 5 x 7 inches
Modern prints available for numbers .1, .4, .6, .9 and .11 in Box 1 Folder 1.
|
circa 1907-1910 | |
.9: Summer bungalow Glass negative ; 5 x 7 inches
|
circa 1912 | |
.10: Summer home and three children Glass negative ; 5 x 7 inches
|
undated | |
.11: Colman family steam yacht Osprey Glass negative ; 5 x 7 inches
|
circa 1910 | |
.12-.13: Pump system Glass negative ; 5 x 7 inches
|
undated | |
.14-.18: Scenery Glass negative ; 5 x 7 inches
|
undated | |
.19-.21: Three burros Glass negative ; 5 x 7 inches
|
undated | |
.22: Colman wedding group Film negative ; 8 x 10 inches
Copy negative of #.73
|
undated | |
.23-.24: Woman on patio steps Nitrate negatives ; 3.25 x 5.5 inches
|
undated | |
.25-.28: Scenery Nitrate negative ; 3.25 x 5.5 inches
|
undated | |
.29-.30: Family snapshots 36 negatives
|
undated | |
1/1 | Modern prints for negatives .1, .4, .6, .9 and .11 |
|
1/2 | .31: Katharine Colman
Framed; glass broken
|
1920s |
1/3 | .32: Colman family photograph calendar |
1902 |
1/4 | .33: Laurence and Ida Colman
Brass , Seattle (photographer)
|
circa 1890s |
1/5 | .34: Laurence Colman
Harris & Ewing , Washington, D.C. (photographer)
|
undated |
1/6 | .35: Ida Burwell Colman |
undated |
1/7 | .36: Isabel Colman |
undated |
1/8 | .37: Kenneth, Katharine, and Isabel Colman |
circa 1920s |
1/9 | .38: Large group of Fauntleroy residents including Colman family
Partial list of identifications available in the accession file.
|
circa 1940s |
1/10 | .39: Colman family group |
circa 1940s |
1/11 | .40: School children on steps
Identifications on verso.
|
1944 June |
1/12 | .41: Agnes Colman
Handwriting on verso: Agnes Colman, born about 1891-2, died at age 12
|
circa 1900 |
1/13 | .42.1: Isabel Colman |
1910 |
1/13 | .42.2: Isabel Colman |
1905 |
1/14 | .43: Isabel Colman and friend Elizabeth Taylor at Colman home on
beach |
circa 1920 |
1/15 | .44: Ida Colman holding Agnes Cyanotype
|
1894 |
1/16 | .45: Colman family group and wagon |
circa 1910 |
1/17 | .46: Isabel Colman Pierce and Mrs. Stanley White
Gerald Beaudin , Seattle (photographer)
Caption attached to photo: "First Stop-- Mrs. Stanley White, 9308-47th Ave. S. W., volunteer lieutenant
general of the Fauntleroy area in the neighborhood Division of the Seattle-King County Community Chest campaign for
1949, begins her day of soliciting with a stop at the home of Mrs. Lawrence Pierce, 9343 Fauntleroy Ave. In her hands
is the “Worker’s Kit,” which contains supplies of window stickers, pledge cards and other campaign material.”
|
1948 October 1 |
1/18 | .47: Unknown woman with 3 children: Elizabeth Pierce, Lawrence Colman,
Katharine Pierce |
circa 1938 |
1/19 | .48: Colman family group
Left to right: George, Ken, Katherine, Ida, Isabel, Agnes
|
circa 1930 |
1/20 | .49: Colman family group
2 copies: 1 black and white print, 1 cyanotype
|
circa 1900 |
1/21 | circa 1914 | |
1/22 | .51: Colman family group |
circa 1900 |
1/23 | .52: Katharine Colman as young girl
Brass (photographer)
|
circa 1900 |
1/24 | .53: Agnes Colman as young girl
Brass (photographer)
|
circa 1900 |
1/25 | .54: Frederick & Nelson store Santa photograph of Josh H.
Pierce |
1944 |
1/26 | .55: Kenneth Colman in military uniform
Hamilton , Seattle (photographer)
|
undated |
1/27 | .56: Keith Colman
Keith Colman was Kenneth Colman's adopted son.
|
undated |
1/28 | .57: George Colman, granddaughter Isabel, Agnes Colman, granddaughter
Katharine |
undated |
1/29 | circa 1932 | |
1/30 | .59: Colman family yacht Osprey
|
undated |
1/31 | .60: Colman beach house, Fauntleroy |
undated |
1/32 | .61.1-.3: Colman house grounds, Fauntleroy 3 photographs
|
undated |
1/33 | .62: Colman Beach house
Panorama taken by "Dr. Kilbourne"
|
1903 |
1/34 | .63: Colman family home (old) interior |
undated |
1/35 | .64: Panorama of second Colman home in Fauntleroy
Dr. Edward Kilbourne (photographer)
|
circa 1927 |
1/36 | .65.1-.2: Seabeck property 2 photographs
|
undated |
1/37 | .66: Colman dock |
1930s |
1/38 | .67: Colman dock |
circa 1918 |
1/39 | .68: Mt. Rainier from Lake Washington
Romans (photographer)
|
1903 |
1/40 | .69: Mt. Rainier from Lake Washington
Romans (photographer)
|
1903 |
1/41 | .70: Two swans
Alfred A. Witter , Seattle (photographer)
|
circa 1900 |
1/42 | .71: Forest road |
undated |
1/43 | .72.1: Eskimo girl
B.B. Dobbs (photographer)
|
1903 |
1/43 | .72.2: Eskimo man
B.B. Dobbs (photographer)
|
circa 1903 |
2/1 | .73: Isabel Colman and Lawrence Pierce wedding photograph
Grady , Seattle (photographer)
|
1929 May 29 |
2/2 | .74: Katharine and Isabel Colman |
circa 1920s |
2/3 | .75: Kenneth Colman
Murle Ogden , Honolulu, Hawaii (photographer)
|
undated |
2/4 | .76: Portrait, possibly Isabel and Lawrence Pierce
Grady , Seattle (photographer)
|
undated |
2/5 | circa 1915 | |
2/6 | .78.1-.4: Group portraits of participants in conferences held at
Seabeck 4 panorama photographs
Linkletter Studio , Seattle
Includes photographs of the 1922 Mission Education Conference; the 1926 Washington State Christian
Endeavor Conference; and an undated National Christian Endeavor Conference.
|
1922-1926 |
Photograph albums, circa 1887-1900Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
3/1 | .127: “Among the Islands” photograph album 13 photographs
Images of small steamship Latona and individuals boating and camping.
|
1887 |
3/2 | .128: Family album 36 photographs
Images of family members enjoying outdoor recreational activities.
|
1900 |
3/3 | .129: Album 14 photographs
Images of people hiking and scenic views.
|
circa 1900 |
Research materials, 1913-1988Return to Top
Photocopied original materials and oral histories assembled by Roy W. Morse and E. Richard Brown, Judy Boynton and Marge Sacre. Binders compiled by E. Richard Brown
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
4/1 | .130: Colman family tree
2 copies
|
undated |
4/2 | .83 : Article on Colman recognition dinner |
1979 |
4/3-10 | .84 : Articles related to James Murray Colman 8 articles
|
1913-1984 |
4/11-21 | .85 : Articles and photographs related to Laurence Colman 6 articles and 5 photographs
|
1914-1982 |
4/22 | .86 : Reproductions of hand-colored postcards of Colman Dock |
undated |
4/23 | .87 : Article on the Colman Building |
1971 |
4/24-28 | .88 : Articles related to Kenneth Burwell Colman
4 articles and 1 reproduced newspaper photograph
|
1942-1982 |
4/29-31 | .89 : Article and documents related to Isabel Susan Colman-Pierce
Wedding guest lists and 1 article.
|
1929-1982 |
4/32 | .90 : YMCA description of the Isabel Colman Pierce award |
1988 |
4/33-34 | .91 : Materials related to Lawrence Jonathan Pierce
Resume and article
|
1976 |
4/35 | .92 : Photograph of boys diving |
undated |
4/36 | .93 : Photocopies of newspaper clippings 16 photocopies
|
1934-1985 |
4 | .94 : “The Colman Family” binder
Divided into 11 sections: The Colman Family; James M. Colman, Laurence J. Colman; George A. Colman;
Kenneth B. Colman; Isabel Colman Pierce, Lawrence J. Pierce; John H. Pierce M.D.; Katherine Colman Triangle; Newspaper
Articles; and the Seabeck Story.
|
1986 |
4 | .95 : “Memories of Laurence J. Colman” binder
Transcripts of oral history interviews, conducted by Judy Boynton, with individuals reminiscing about
Laurence J. Colman. Includes transcripts of interviews with Dr. Warren E. Calvin (March 1968); Joshua Green (April
1968); Ruth and Robert Hamlin (March 1969); and Walter Wyckoff (April 1969).
|
1968-1969 |
Books, Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
5/1 | .96: Laurence J. Colman’s monogrammed dictionary
Leather cover embossed with image titled “Pacific Creosoting Company Plant”
|
1929 |
5/2 | .97: Reminiscences and Reflections,1900-1990 by Lawrence J. Pierce
Autographed
|
1990 |
5/3 | .98: Laurence Colman and Ida Burwell wedding book |
1892 |
5/4 | .99: Account book |
1872-1873 |
Ephemera, Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Clippings |
1914-1989 | |
Box/Folder | ||
5/5 | .100: “Floating a Launch” |
undated |
5/6 | .101: “No. 7 – James M. Colman,”
Seattle Times
|
1944 October 15 |
5/7 | .102: “Colman Dock Has Been Around for 103 Years,”
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
|
1984 February 6 |
5/8 | .103: “Colman Family is Back on the Dock” |
1982 May 16 |
5/9 | .104: 2 Clippings: “Isabel Colman is Married at Home,” “Miss Burwell Engaged
to Wed” |
1929 ; 1890 |
5/10 | .105: 3 Clippings: “Miss Pierce Wed,”
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; “Trip in Their Future”; untitled article
regarding wedding |
1958 December 31; undated |
5/11 | .106: “Almost Secret: graveyard for Civil War vets” with envelope from Lake
View Cemetery and notecard regarding “Colman Cript” at Lakeview |
1989 February 27 |
5/12 | .107: “Your Story in Voice and Writing” regarding Colman interviews,
Seattle Times
|
1969 September 24 |
5/13 | .108: “Just Cogitating: Laurence J. Colman was a leader in good works for the
city,”
Seattle Times
|
1948 |
5/14 | .109: “J.M. Colman’s Widow, Here 63 Years, Dies” and Seattle Electric Company
envelope |
1935 December 23 |
5/15 | .110: “Friends Surprise L.J. Colman at Birthday Party” |
undated |
5/16 | .111: “Seattle’s Pioneer Colman Family Aided Municipal Development,”
West Seattle Herald
|
1947 November 13 |
5/17 | .112: “Women of Today,” Seattle
Post-Intelligencer
|
1943 May 2 |
Miscellaneous Colman family ephemera |
||
Box/Folder | ||
5/18 | .113: Wedding announcements for Galen Michelle Pierce and Chad Lee
Magendanz |
1989 |
5/19 | .114: Announcement and invitation for a preview of Colman Pool |
1941 July 4 |
5/20 | .115: Partial map of Fauntleroy (?) showing Colman properties |
|
5/21 | .116: Program for “On the Town,” UW swim team event
Katie Pierce was a participant in this event.
|
circa 1956 |
5/22 | .117: Bungalow Magazine containing article about Colman house |
1914 April |
5/23 | .118: West Seattle High School Commencement Program for Isabel Colman’s
graduation |
1920 |
5/24 | .119: “The Boys are Coming Back” sheet music |
undated |
5/25 | .120: Lawrence Pierce campaign flyer |
undated |
5/26 | .121: New Year’s greeting card from Bill and Bertha Boeing |
1930 |
5/27 | .122: Camp Colman Capital Campaign brochure |
1986 |
5/28 | .123: Menu for Seattle Hardware Company event |
1891 March 4 |
5/29 | .124: Isabel Colman’s University of Washington diploma |
1925 |
5/30 | .125: Ruth School for Girls flyers, clippings, and photographs |
1964 |
5/31 | .126: Child Life children’s magazine |
1927 December |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Personal Names
- Colman, Ida Burwell, 1863-1947
- Colman, Kenneth Burwell, 1896-1982
- Colman family--Archives
- Colman, Laurence James, 1859-1935
- Pierce family--Archives
- Pierce, Isabel Colman, 1902-1982
- Pierce, Lawrence J., 1900-
Geographical Names
- Fauntleroy (Seattle, Wash.) (subject )
- West Seattle (Seattle, Wash.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Photograph albums
- Photographic prints