Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Home Colony Photograph Collection, circa 1900
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Home Colony Photograph Collection
- Dates
- circa 1900 (inclusive)18951905
- Quantity
-
.03 cubic feet ; 1 folder
18 photographic prints and notes ; 2.5 x 4 inches - Collection Number
- PH0853
- Summary
- Photographs of the colonists, individuals and groups in outdoor settings at the Home Colony site
- 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
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
Home Colony was one of a group of socialist communities established in the Pacific Northwest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The colony founders, Oliver Verity, George H. Allen, and B.F. Odell, incorporated the colony as the Mutual Home Association in 1898 for “members in obtaining and building homes for themselves and to aid in establishing better moral and social conditions.” The Home Colony site was on Von Geldern Cove, ten miles northwest of Steilacoom in Pierce County, Washington. In 1901, 23 men, 22 women and 36 children resided in the community. Each family received a two acre holding to build and maintain a home. The school house was a wood structure located near the water.
Home Colony attracted famous visitors such as Emma Goldman, a lecturer of anarchist philosophy, and the author Elbert Hubbard. The colony published the newspapersDiscontent: Mother of Progressfrom 1898-1902, and theDemonstratorfrom 1902-1908. The community attracted negative attention as a result of multiple scandals including rumors of “free love”. In 1902, a violation of the Comstock Act prohibiting the movement of “lewd” and obscene material via the US mail resulted in the removal of the Home Post Office. In 1919 the Mutual Home Colony Association was dissolved and the anarchist community, as it was, ended.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs of individuals and groups of colonists in outdoor settings at the Home Colony site.
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
ColonistsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| item | ||
| 1 | circa 1900 | |
| 2 |
Home Colony members
From accompanying material: Group: Jack Adams (son of J.W. on far right). Woman next to him possibly a sister of George Allen
|
circa 1900 |
| 3 |
Allen family at farm
On verso: Allen Family. Grace and Sylvia (mother in back). Glennis, Georgie and Leila in front.
|
circa 1900 |
| 4 |
Dadisman family in front of Dadisman home and farm
From accompanying material: l. to r.: Harry (Henry) Dadisman, Martin V. Dadisman, Mrs. Dadisman. Harry Dadisman was the son of Martin by a previous marriage. Mr. David Dadisman referred to his half-brother as "Harry", Muirhead referred to "Henry".
|
circa 1900 |
| 5 | circa 1900 | |
| 6 | Possibly Mrs. Kelly |
circa 1900 |
| 7 |
George O'Dell in front of building
From accompanying material: George O'Dell? Muirhead identifies two pictures: "George O'Dell back of father's house" Muirhead describes George O'Dell: "Only 13 years of age but looks 18. Shaves, fine trustful open countenance. Face very slightly pimpled. Strong built but soft looking, plays violin, dances, fine mellow voice." (Father a founder of Home)
|
circa 1900 |
| 8 | circa 1900 | |
| 9 |
Verity family in front of their home
From accompanying material: l. to r.: Charles L. Govan (later married Macie Verity), Mrs. Oliver Verity (?), Macie Verity ??, Oliver A. Verity, Kenneth Verity?
|
circa 1900 |
| 10 | circa 1900 | |
| 11 |
Oliver Verity
From accompanying material: could this be Oliver Verity? Mrs. Cook and Mr. Haiman though it looked like a Verity.
|
circa 1900 |
| 12 |
Home Colony members in front of frame buildings
From accompanying material: Mr. And Mrs. Huber? Mr. and Mrs. Penhallow? Mr. Dadisman thought this could be Mr. and Mrs. Huber. Muirhead identified one of his pictures as "Mr. and Mrs. Herbert and Home." Mr. Haiman thought this could be Mattie and Tom Byrnes: however, at the time of Mrs. Muirhead's visit, Mattie Byrnes was Mattie Penhallow, married to Charles D. Penhallow. I find no indication that Muirhead photographed the Penhallows, but he described them. Mrs. Cook thought this could well be the Penhallows. Mrs. Evans thought it was the Penhallows.
|
circa 1900 |
| 13 | circa 1900 | |
| 14 | circa 1900 | |
| 15 | Child on float bridge |
circa 1900 |
School GroupsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| item | ||
| 16 |
Possibly Mrs. Kelly with school children
From accompanying material: Mr. Muirhead wrote at some length of the school teacher, Mrs. Kelly, sister of Mr. O'Dell. "Widow about 40 or 50. Med. Height, strong build, very strong and prominent features but not big face...dark complexion, very dark eyes, hair cut shortish." (She appears from diary to be the only teacher, but David Dadisman referred immediately to the other teacher as his first teacher, Kate Cheyse. He made no mention of another teacher.)
|
circa 1900 |
| 17 |
Children and teacher in front of first school house
From accompanying material: School children in front of first school house. Kenneth Verity; Macie Verity; Mable King? Glennis(?) Leila Allen
|
circa 1900 |
| 18 |
Children and teacher in front of original school house
From accompanying material: Young school children in front of original school house. [identified adult] Miss Cheyse. [children] Bill Larkin (Myron Larkin?); Mrs. Cook and Mr. Haiman thought this #12 could be David Dadisman, though he did not identify himself.
|
circa 1900 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Collective settlements--Washington (State)--Pierce County--Photographs
- Utopias--Washington (State)--Pierce County--Photographs
Geographical Names
- Home Colony (Pierce County, Wash.)--Photographs
- Washington (State)--Social conditions--Photographs
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographs
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Mutual Home Association (Home, Wash.) (contributor)
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
