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Dudley Carter totem pole carving for Sand Point Naval Air Station photograph collection, August 1960
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Dudley Carter totem pole carving for Sand Point Naval Air Station photograph collection
- Dates
- August 1960 (inclusive)19601960
- Quantity
- 16 photographs (1 folder) ; 8 x 10
- Collection Number
- PH0795
- Summary
- Photographs of a tree being felled, milled, and transported to be carved by Carter for the Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle
- 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
-
The collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Dudley Carter was a wood sculptor who made massive sculptures using a double bladed woodsman's axe. He was born to a pioneer family in New Westminster, British Columbia in 1891. Carter's family operated logging camps in the Pacific Northwest, and at age 15 he moved to Alert Bay where he lived among the totem carving Kwakiutl Indians. He spent many years working in the lumbering business as a timber cruiser and forest engineer before he began experimenting with art and sculpture at age 39. Carter continued working as both a woodsman and sculptor for the next forty years. He remained an active sculptor past the age of 100 before his death in 1992. Some of his influential works include "The Ram" and "The Goddess of the Forest."
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
On August 11, 1960, Dudley Carter began the public carving of a 52-foot red cedar tree into a totem pole. The carving was done using a double-bitted faller's axe, and took place at the Westlake Mall in Seattle through September 2, 1960. Once completed, the pole was placed at the main gate of the Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle. The carving was arranged by the Thunderbirds, a group of 450 enlisted Naval Air Reservists from the Sand Point Naval Air Station.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs of a tree being felled by sculptor Dudley Carter, milled, and transported to be carved into a totem pole by Carter for the Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle. The collection includes a photograph of the totem pole surrounding by scaffolding.
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
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| item | ||
| 1 | Dudley Carter preparing to chop down a red cedar tree | August 1960 |
| 2 | Dudley Carter chopping down a red cedar tree | August 1960 |
| 3 | Dudley Carter's double-bitted faller's axe and the felled red cedar tree | August 1960 |
| 4 | Three men posing with the felled red cedar tree | August 1960 |
| 5 | Bulldozer backing up to the red cedar tree chopped down by Dudley Carter | August 1960 |
| 6 | Red cedar log with bulldozer | August 1960 |
| 7 | Dudley Carter and two men surveying the base of the red cedar log | August 1960 |
| 8 | Dudley Carter watching the red cedar log he will carve being hoisted onto a truck | August 1960 |
| 9 | Two men secure the red cedar log onto a truck bed with chains | August 1960 |
| 10 | The red cedar log being transported by truck | August 1960 |
| 11 | Woman pointing to log intended to be carved into a totem pole by Dudley Carter for the Seattle Navel Air Station | August 1960 |
| 12 | Dudley Carter, five men from the Sand Point Naval Station, and two women on a float pose with the red cedar log | August 1960 |
| 13 | Two men with the truck used to transport the red cedar log | August 1960 |
| 14 | The log to be carved by Dudley Carter being milled | August 1960 |
| 15 | Dudley Carter and two men inspect the milled red cedar log while it is loaded on the truck bed | August 1960 |
| 16 | Totem pole being carved by Dudley Carter surrounded in scaffolding at Westlake Mall in Seattle | August 1960 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Sculptors--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Totem poles--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Wood-carving--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
Personal Names
- Carter, Dudley--Photographs
Geographical Names
- Westlake Mall (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographic prints
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
