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Scandinavian Americans in the Pacific Northwest Photograph Collection, 1885-1985

Overview of the Collection

Title
Scandinavian Americans in the Pacific Northwest Photograph Collection
Dates
1885-1985 (inclusive)
Quantity
6 boxes, (338 photographic prints and 1 tintype)
Collection Number
PH0051
Summary
Photographic images of Scandinavian-American individuals and institutions in the Pacific Northwest
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

Open to the public.

Request at UW

Languages
Collection materials are in English and various Scandinavian languages.
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities
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Historical Note

During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many people of Scandinavian origin came to the United States in search of arable land, economic security, religious freedom, and the opportunity for social mobility. Many settled in rural farming areas in the Midwest; a growing number found work in urban industry or entrepreneurship. As Scandinavian Americans achieved economic success, they developed distinct religious, cultural, and political organizations. By the end of the Civil War, many Scandinavian Americans once again left the familiar communities they had developed and relocated to the western frontier.

These western settlers were struck by the Pacific Northwest's physical similiarity to their Scandinavian homelands. The abundance of mountains, forests, and waterways provided economic opportunities in familiar vocations, namely logging, boatbuilding, and fishing. Transcontinental travel via the railroad and information from western settlers enticed greater numbers of people, and the 1880s was consequently a period of widespread migration to the Pacific Northwest, specifically the Washington Territory.

Scandinavians migrating from the Midwest as well as immigrating from Europe quickly comprised a significant portion of Washington's rapidly growing population. They worked in many sectors of the economy and developed social, political, religious, and cultural institutions that celebrated their heritage; eased the transition to the new area; provided aid to settlers, the unemployed, or the widowed; and encouraged commonly accepted values like temperance. These groups also sponsored festivals and celebrations at holiday time as well as song, dance, and theater performances. Publications in native languages became widely available and covered news from the Old Country as well as local issues.

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Content Description

The collection documents the lives of individuals of Scandinavian origin in the Pacific Northwest from the 1890s to the 1970s. It focuses specifically on immigrants from Sweden, Norway, and Finland (although it also includes peoples of Icelandic and Danish origin) and the industries they developed, as well as their cultural associations and benefit societies. The collection contains photographic images of individuals; members of benefit societies like Vasa Order of America and the International Order of Odd Fellows; choirs; dance groups and theater productions; events like the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909; industries as varied as logging, iron production, and journalism; and educational institutions such as Adelphia College in Seattle. The pictures were taken by individuals as well as photograph studios like Grady Photography and Nordlund's Foto Company. Many of the images are accompanied by text in Scandinavian languages. Square brackets surrounding a word indicates that an attempt has been made to decipher the spelling.

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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

Arrangement

The photographs are arranged in six series: I. Portraits; II. Northwest Scandinavian Societies; III. Northwest Scandinavian Cultural Groups; IV. Northwest Scandinavian Life; V. Education; VI. Miscellaneous Scandinavian.

Processing Note

Processed by Micheline Lopez, 2003.

Item ID number 119 was not used.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and Subjects

Subject Terms

  • Amateur theater--Northwest, Pacific
  • Choirs (Music)--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Choral societies--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Community theater--Northwest, Pacific
  • Ethnic costume--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Folk dancing--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Friendly societies--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Immigrants--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Scandinavian American families--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Scandinavian Americans--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Scandinavian Americans--Northwest, Pacific--Social life and customs
  • Scandinavian Americans--Northwest, Pacific--Societies, etc
  • Temperance--Northwest, Pacific
  • Theatrical companies--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Geographical Names

  • Northwest, Pacific--Social life and customs
  • Washington (State)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographic prints

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909 : Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
    • Vasa Order of America


2004 (Last modified: 11/27/2017)

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