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Ada Stillwell collection of Colville Indian Reservation photographs, 1897-1940

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Stillwell, Ada
Title
Ada Stillwell collection of Colville Indian Reservation photographs
Dates
1897-1940 (inclusive)
Quantity
53 photograph prints (1 box) ; sizes vary
Collection Number
PH0766
Summary
Photographs of Chief Joseph's band of Nez Perce Indians on the Colville Indian Reservation in eastern Washington
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

Access to originals restricted. Entire collection available on digital site. Permission of curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English, with Nez Perce names listed
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Biographical Note

Ada Stillwell Dickson was one of two daughters of Barnett and Dema Stillwell, schoolteacher and housekeeper respectively, for the school at Nespelem on the Colville Indian Reservation, from 1897-1901. Ada and her younger sister, Emma, attended the reservation school, along with the Nez Perce children. At approximately 10 years of age, Ada learned the Sahaptian language of the Nez Perce, serving as an interpreter for Chief Joseph, as well as for University of Washington Professor Edmond S. Meany, who became one of Chief Joseph's champions. She married Frank Dickson in 1908. The family apparently moved to Chelan nearby the reservation after leaving.

Dr. Edward H. Latham (1843-1928) was the agency physician on the Sioux, Spokane, and Colville Indian Reservations, arriving at the latter in 1890. He was an amateur photographer and created a record of life on the reservation.

Edmond Stephen Meany (1862-1935) was a graduate of the University of Washington. He received a masters degree from the University of Wisconsin, and his thesis centered on Chief Joseph, which brought him to the Colville Indian Reservation. He became a professor at the University of Washington and an important Washington State historian.

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Content Description

Photographs of the Colville Indian Reservation, including images of students and teachers at the reservation school, members of the Nez Perce, Sinkiuse-Columbia, and Okanagan tribes in both traditional and formal dress, of Ada and Emma Stillwell, as well as images of Chief Joseph's house and property, and later views of the reservation made by Ada Stillwell Dickson, during her return visit to the reservation in 1940. The majority of the images were made by Edward Latham, with the remainder made by Edmond Meany and Ada Stillwell Dickson

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Other Descriptive Information

All inscriptions on verso made by the photographer unless otherwise noted.

Many of these photographs appear in the Edward H. Latham Photographs, PH Coll 409. Some photographs were also duplicated by Thomas Prosch and may be found in the Thomas Prosch Indian Photographs Album.

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Use of the Collection

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.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Source: Larry Gottheim for Be-hold, Inc. Received in two parts: May 7, 2007 and November 28, 2007.

Processing Note

Processed by Christina Linclau, 2009.

The collection was accessioned as PH 2007-030 and PH 2007-031.

Bibliography

In Mick Gidley's book, 'With One Sky Above Us: Life on an Indian Reservation at the Turn of the Century' (1979) the images of Dr. Edward H. Latham, the reservation physician, and an accomplished amateur photographer, depict life on the Colville Indian Reservation, while 'Kopet: A Documentary Narrative of Chief Joseph's Last Years' (1981), also written by Gidley, focuses on Professor Edmond Meany.

Related Materials

Chelan albums

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Nez Percé Indians--Clothing--Photographs
  • Nez Percé Indians--Photographs
  • Nez Percé girls--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Moses, Chief, approximately 1829-1899--Photographs
  • Stillwell, Ada--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Colville Indian Reservation--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Nespelem (Wash.)--Photographs

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Latham, Edward H (photographer)
    • Meany, Edmond S. (Edmond Stephen), 1862-1935 (photographer)

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Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)


2017 (Last modified: 11/27/2017)

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