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Melanie Zwang Davis photograph collection, circa 1860-1950

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Davis, M lanie Zwang
Title
Melanie Zwang Davis photograph collection
Dates
circa 1860-1950 (inclusive)
Quantity
18 photographic prints (1 box) ; various sizes
Collection Number
PH0695
Summary
Photographs of several Jewish families, including the Oppenheimer and Zwang families, who immigrated from Germany to the United States and settled in Marcus, 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

The collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by King County 4Culture
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Biographical Note

In 1871, Herman Zwang (1854-1931), emigrated from Germany to the town of Marcus in the Washington Territory. He lived with his uncle Marcus Oppenheimer in a log cabin. Zwang returned to Germany in 1888, where he and his wife had three children: Clara, Saul, and Melanie, who was born in Sennfeld in 1891. Zwang returned to Washington with his family in 1897, settling in Marcus in 1900. The Zwangs were one of only two Jewish families in the town of 300 (the Wurzburg family was the other one). Melanie attended the Marcus Public School, and later worked in the Zwang general store. Melanie Zwang married Sol Davis in 1923, and later moved to Seattle.

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Historical Background

The town of Marcus, Washington, was named for Marcus Oppenheimer, who settled there in 1862. The town provided supplies to miners heading north to the Canadian gold fields. With the arrival of rail service in the 1880s, Marcus became a shipping and logging center. The town was incorporated in 1910, but was relocated in the 1930s when the original townsite was submerged under the waters of Lake Roosevelt during the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam.

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Content Description

Photographs of Melanie Zwang Davis and members of her family, taken in Germany and in Marcus, Washington. Includes studio and informal portraits, photos of groups of children and adults, and the Zwang family home and store in Marcus.

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Use of the Collection

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.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Melanie Zwang Davis, November 1988

Processing Note

Processed by Erika Wilson, 2009

These photographs were relocated from the Melanie Zwang Davis papers acc. no. 3637-002 in 1985 and 1989

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • General stores--Washington (State)--Marcus--Photographs
  • Jewish families--United States--Photographs
  • Jewish families--Washington (State)--Marcus--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Davis, Melanie Zwang--Photographs (photographer)
  • Zwang family--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Marcus (Wash.)--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Group portraits
  • Photographs
  • Portrait photographs


2010 (Last modified: 11/27/2017)

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