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Joanna Eckstein Photograph Collection, circa 1870-1952
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Eckstein, Joanna, 1903-1983
- Title
- Joanna Eckstein Photograph Collection
- Dates
- circa 1870-1952 (inclusive)18651957
- Quantity
- 1 box, (71 photographs and 1 scrapbook)
- Collection Number
- 1980.7166
- Summary
- Photographs of members of the Eckstein, Schwabacher and Gatzert families, and a scrapbook on civic leader Nathan Eckstein.
- 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
Joanna Eckstein (1903-1983) was born and grew up in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Prominent patron of the arts, Eckstein was the daughter of Seattle civic leader and longtime school board member Nathan Eckstein, for whom Eckstein Middle School is named, and Mina Schwabacher Eckstein, whose family owned the Schwabacher Brothers & Company wholesale grocery store. Joanna Eckstein attended Seattle public schools T.T. Minor Elementary and Broadway High, and then studied at Goucher College. Eckstein worked briefly as a social worker for the Social Welfare League after graduating college, but the job "didn't last very long because I really wasn't interested in social work." Like her parents, Joanna was always active in civic organizations, serving as President of the Seattle Children's Home and the Seattle King County Visiting Nurse Association, and working with organizations such as United Good Neighbors, the World Affairs Council, and the Seattle Foundation.
Eckstein was best known, however, for her longtime involvement with the Seattle arts community. Eckstein succeeded her father, after his death in 1945, to serve as a board member of the Seattle Art Museum until her death in 1983; she was also on the board for Allied Arts and the Seattle Opera Association. She supported local artists and had close personal relationships with many, such as painters Mark Tobey, Kenneth Callahan and Helmi Juvonen.
Eckstein also traveled extensively, purportedly visiting all the continents, and taking a trip around the world in 1956. She often led art-related tours for Seattle Art Museum members, traveling to Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and Mexico. During the 1950s and 1960s, Eckstein also wrote travel articles for the Seattle Times, reporting not only on art but on places and people, and such issues as the progress of post-war recovery in Europe, and German resentment over the territorial division of their country.
Joanna Eckstein died in Seattle in 1983.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists largely of photographs of Joanna Eckstein's parents, Seattle civic leader Nathan Eckstein and Mina Schwabacher Eckstein, and her Schwabacher relatives, including her grandfather Abraham and his brothers Louis and Sigmund, of the Schwabacher Brothers & Co. store, and their wives; and Babette Schwabacher Gatzert and Bailey Gatzert. The collection also includes a scrapbook containing photographs and clippings about Nathan Eckstein.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
The following describes the relationships among the individuals depicted in the collection photographs:
Joanna Eckstein was one of two daughters (with her sister Babette) of Nathan Eckstein and Mina Schwabacher Eckstein. Mina Schwabacher was a daughter of Abraham Schwabacher (circa 1838-1909) and Sarah Lehrberger (1847-?), who married in 1869. Abraham and his brothers Louis and Sigmund owned the Schwabacher Brothers wholesale grocery stores in Walla Walla, and later, Seattle. The Schwabacher brothers had a sister, Babette Schwabacher (1836-1908), who married Bailey Gatzert (1829-1893) in 1861. Gatzert became the first (and to date, only) Jewish mayor of Seattle in 1875. The Gatzerts had no children. Louis Schwabacher (1837-1900) married Belle Blum in 1877 and they had two daughters. Sigmund Schwabacher (1841-1917) married Rosa in 1971 and they had seven children, including a son, Leopold, who had a son Morton and daughter Bertha. The collection also depicts a woman who is probably Sarah Lehrberger's sister, Bella Dinkelspiel, and her daughter, Etta.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
A selection of the photographs is available 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
Joanna Eckstein Photograph Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Location of Collection
2b.1.10Location of Collection
1a.3.7 (oversize photograph)Acquisition Information
Gift of Joanna Eckstein, December 23, 1980
Processing Note
One photograph in the collection was received in a different donation of materials from Joanna Eckstein, Accession No. 1980.7139. This photograph is housed with the collection and included in the inventory below.
Bibliography
Joanna Eckstein oral history interview. Smithsonian Archives of American Art, April 7, 1983. <http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/eckste83.htm>
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
PhotographsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | 1.1: Schwabacher and Gatzert families
This group portrait depicts the four Schwabacher siblings and their spouses.
Left to right: Babette Schwabacher Gatzert, Bailey Gatzert, Bella Blum Schwabacher (Louis's wife),
Abraham Schwabacher, Sarah Lehrberger Schwabacher (Abraham's wife), Louis Schwabacher, Sigmund Schwabacher, Rosa
Schwabacher (Sigmund's wife)
|
circa 1880s |
| 1/2 | 1.2: Mrs. Bailey Gatzert (Babette Schwabacher)
Habenicht , San Francisco (photographer)
|
circa 1900 |
| 1/3 | 1.3: Bailey Gatzert summer home |
circa 1890 |
| 1/3 | circa 1890s | |
| 1/3 | 1.10: Babette Schwabacher Gatzert in front of Gatzert home
John Soule , Seattle
|
undated |
| 1/4 | 1.11: Abraham Schwabacher seated on porch |
circa 1900 |
| 1/4 | 1.12: Abraham Schwabacher
Imperial Studio , San Francisco (photographer)
|
circa late 1800s |
| folder:oversize | ||
| OS | 1.12a: Abraham Schwabacher and granddaughter Babette Eckstein oversize photo shelf 1a.4.6
|
circa 1908s |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/4 | 1.13: Louis Schwabacher
Taber , San Francisco (photographer)
|
circa late 1800s |
| 1/5 | 1.14: Sarah Lehrberger Schwabacher as a young woman
Bradley & Rulofson , San Francisco (photographer)
|
circa 1870 |
| 1/5 | 1980.7139.6: Sarah Lehrberger Schwabacher as a young woman
This photograph was received with Accession No. 1980.7139, gift of Joanna Eckstein, November 28,
1980
|
circa 1870 |
| 1/5 | 1.15: Sarah Schwabacher
Habenicht , San Francisco (photographer)
|
circa late 1800s |
| 1/6 | 1917 | |
| 1/6 | 1.17: Sarah Schwabacher |
1930 |
| 1/6 | 1.18: Sarah Schwabacher with her daughter, Mina Eckstein, granddaughter Babette
Eckstein Joseph (Mina's daughter), and infant grandson Stephen Joseph (Babette's son) |
1930 |
| 1/7 | 1.19: Group of schoolgirls at boarding school in Hanover, Germany, including
sisters Mina and Jeanie Schwabacher |
circa 1882 |
| 1/8 | 1.20: Mina Schwabacher in German outfit
F. Grainer's Nachfl. , Bad Reichenhall (photographer)
|
1901 |
| 1/9 | 1.21: Mina Schwabacher in her wedding dress
Taber , San Francisco (photographer)
|
1902 |
| 1/8 | 1.22: Mina Schwabacher Eckstein |
circa late 1800s |
| 1/8 | 1.23: Mina Schwabacher Eckstein |
1903 |
| 1/8 | 1.24: Mina Schwabacher Eckstein |
1925 |
| 1/10 | 1.25: Nathan Eckstein |
circa 1910s |
| 1/11 | 1.26: Nathan Eckstein and secretary "Miss Lafferty" working at
desks |
circa 1908 |
| 1/10 | 1.27: Nathan Eckstein
Rounds & Reef , Seattle (photographer)
|
circa 1940 |
| 1/10 | 1.28: Nathan Eckstein standing near display of flower baskets
Frank Jacobs , Seattle (photographer)
|
circa 1940 |
| 1/10 | 1.29: Nathan Eckstein at desk |
1934 |
| 1/10 | 1.30-.31: Nathan Eckstein |
circa 1917 |
| 1/11 | 1.32: Nathan Eckstein
J. Arthur Young , Seattle (photographer)
|
1929 |
| 1/12 | 1.33: Mina Schwabacher and her cousins Cora, Etta and Jenny
Dinkelspiel
Inscribed on back on mount: Sept 8th 1897 Seattle Wash. To Aunt Belle, from her niece Mina
|
1897 |
| 1/13 | 1.34: Nathan, Mina, Joanna and Babette Eckstein
Grady , Seattle (photographer)
|
1923 |
| 1/13 | 1.35: Mina Eckstein with daughters Joanna and Babette and mother Sarah
Schwabacher riding horses at Mount Rainier |
circa 1916 |
| 1/13 | 1.36: Joanna and Babette Eckstein |
1910 |
| 1/14 | 1.37: Sarah Schwabacher with granddaughters Joanna and Babette
Eckstein |
circa 1910 |
| 1/12 | 1.38: Joanna and Nathan Eckstein on frozen Green Lake |
1919 |
| 1/12 | 1.39: Nathan, Joanna and Babette Eckstein and Helen Drever at Mount
Rainier
Jacobs (photographer)
|
circa 1923 |
| 1/13 | 1.40: Mina and Nathan Eckstein
S.J. Walters , Seattle (photographer)
|
1920 |
| 1/14 | 1.41: Group of Shriners in car, Nathan Eckstein in back seat |
1915 |
| 1/15 | 1.42: Shriners in three cars, Nathan Eckstein in back seat of front
car |
1915 |
| 1/15 | 1.43: Portrait of Nathan Eckstein in Nile Shriner fez |
1915 |
| 1/14 | 1.44: Group of Shriners, including Nathan Eckstein and Leo
Schwabacher |
1915 |
| 1/15 | 1.45: Group of Nile Shriners, including Nathan Eckstein
James & Merrihew , Seattle (photographer)
|
1915 |
| 1/16 | 1915 | |
| 1/17 | 1.47: Nathan Eckstein and woman holding up "Seattle Courtesy Army" sign on car
window |
1930 |
| 1/17 | 1.48: Nathan Eckstein with others at a banquet |
undated |
| 1/17 | 1.49: Mina, Nathan and Joanna Eckstein and two couples on boat
This photograph was taken aboard the Aleutian on a Chamber of Commerce trip
to Alaska. Along with the Ecksteins are the Northern Life Insurance Company president and his wife, and Charles Clark,
who had something to do with "wholesale grain."
|
1930 |
| 1/17 | 1.50: Nathan and Joanna Eckstein shaking hands with military officers ("Colonel
Parker") at Fort Lawton event |
circa 1940 |
| 1/17 | 1.51: Nathan Eckstein and others on the S.S. President
Cleveland
Walter P. Miller , Seattle (photographer)
Inscription on back of photograph: "Maiden voyage of the Pres Cleveland from here to Orient."
Inscription also identifies the seven men as: Chester Roberts (President of Imperial Candy Company),
Will Rhodes, Ancil Haines, Nathan Eckstein, University of Washington President M. Lyle Spencer, Douglas Ball, F. Louis
Nageltooth (?)
|
circa 1920s |
| 1/17 | 1.52: Members of Washington State Planning Council, including Nathan
Eckstein |
1940 |
| 1/18 | 1.53: Copy of stereograph of Bailey Gatzert's Seattle home |
pre-1900 |
| 1/18 | 1.54: Antler's Hotel at Lake Cushman |
1917 |
| 1/18 | 1.55: View from Volunteer Park water tower showing Parker-Fersen house on 14th
Avenue East, and Mount Rainier
Asahel Curtis (photographer)
|
undated |
| 1/19 | 1.56-.58: Group at Thanksgiving dinner 3 photographs
Identification on backs of photographs.
Individuals depicted: Joanna Eckstein, Ruth, Bill and Cleo Chambliss, Victor and Virginia Denny, Babe
and Les Comyn
|
1952 |
| 1/20 | 1.59: James Goldsmith
Goldsmith was President of Schwabacher Brothers before Nathan Eckstein.
|
1910 |
| 1/20 | 1.60: Bella (Lehrberger) Dinkelspiel
Rieman & Co. , San Francisco (photographer)
Probably the sister of Mina Eckstein's mother, Sarah (Lehrberger) Schwabacher
|
1883 |
| 1/20 | 1.61: Dr. Caspar Sharpless
Asahel Curtis (photographer)
|
undated |
| 1/20 | 1.62: Dr. Caspar Sharpless |
undated |
| 1/21 | 1.63: Mina Schwabacher as a young child
Rieman , San Francisco (photographer)
|
circa 1880 |
| 1/21 | 1.54: Joanna and Babette Eckstein |
1940 |
| 1/21 | 1.65: Etta Dinkelspiel Schirmer
Bella Dinkelspiel's daughter. Bella was probably Sarah Schwabacher's sister.
|
undated |
| 1/21 | 1.66: Joanna Eckstein and Morton Schwabacher as young children
Morton Schwabacher was the son of Leopold Schwabacher and grandson of Sigmund Schwabacher.
|
circa 1907 |
| 1/21 | 1.67: Milk delivery on sled in snowstorm |
1916 |
| 1/21 | 1.68: Dwight Eisenhower in motorcade |
1952 October |
| 1/22 | 1.69: Joanna Eckstein on horseback at Volunteer Park
Nowell & Rognan , Seattle (photographer)
hand-colored
|
undated |
| 1/22 | 1.70: Joanna and Babette Eckstein and others hiking at Nisqually
Glacier |
circa 1918 |
Nathan Eckstein scrapbook, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1
Bound scrapbook with blue cover printed with "Nathan Eckstein 1873-1945." Contains 3 photographs of Eckstein dated 1902, 1906 and 1917, and 12 pages of clippings about Eckstein from about 1926 through his death in 1945.
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Families--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle
Personal Names
- Eckstein, Joanna--Photographs
- Eckstein, Mina--Photographs
- Eckstein, Nathan, 1873-1945--Photographs
- Gatzert, Bailey--Photographs
- Schwabacher, Abraham--Photographs
- Schwabacher, Louis--Photographs
- Schwabacher, Ludwig--Photographs
Geographical Names
- United States--Washington (State)--Seattle
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographic prints
Finding aid prepared by Jody Hendrickson
2008
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
