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Nile Shrine collection of photographs and other material, approximately 1899-2004

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America. Nile Temple (Seattle, Wash.)
Title
Nile Shrine collection of photographs and other material
Dates
approximately 1899-2004 (inclusive)
Quantity
15.09 cubic feet (17 boxes, 1 oversized package containing 3 framed photographs, 24 oversize folders, 1 film reel)
Approximately 2200 photographic prints
Approximately 488 slides
Approximately 450 negatives
24 albums
1 film reel : black and white print ; 16mm
Collection Number
PH1243
Summary
Collection of photographs and other material from the Nile Shrine of Seattle
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 all users, but access to portions of the papers is restricted. See below and contact repository for details.

Viewing or listening to media materials may require production of use copies. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Additional Reference Guides

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS), or "The Shrine," was created by members of the Masonic Order as a new fraternity in 1871. The "Shriners" adopted a Middle Eastern theme for their rituals and costumes. The Shriners are known for their philanthropy in the building and operating of Shriners Hospitals, which provide free medical care to children. They are also known for their participation in local parades, and often recognized by the trademark red fez.

According to a history on its website, the Nile Shrine was established in 1908-1909, when some 457 Seattle-area "Nobles" split off from the existing Afifi Temple of Tacoma, Washington. The original Nile Shrine meetings took place in Seattle at the Moore Theater and at the Masonic Temple when it was completed in 1916; in 1924, the group purchased a parcel of land on Lake Ballinger in Mountlake Terrace to serve as a country club, including a golf course, which it still owns and operates today. In 1955, the Nile Nobles constructed a new office building in downtown Seattle, but this was soon thereafter sold back to the city as preparations for the 1962 World's Fair developed the grounds at Seattle Center. Subsequently, the Mountlake Terrace property served all of the administrative, ceremonial and recreational purposes.

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Content Description

Photographs, albums, scrapbook, drawings, film and other material relating to the Nile Shriners and their community activities. Includes numerous group photos of Nile Nobles, including panoramas. Photo albums include mostly snapshots documenting community activities such as parades, school and hospital visits. One 16mm film is in the collection, labeled "Ceremonial in Seattle, 1963". Other material includes clippings, certificates of recognition, ceremonial programs, artifacts, ephemera, manuscripts, and correspondence.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation or publication. Users are responsible for researching opyright status before use.

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Administrative Information

Preservation Note

Viewing or listening to media materials may require production of use copies. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Acquisition Information

Donor: Richard M. Kovak, Potentate for Nile Shrine, February 2009.

Processing Note

Photo on guide was taken from box 9.

Collection accessioned as PH2009-018.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

  • Description: Photographs - prints and negatives

    Member portraits and officer group portraits; snapshots of social events and community activities such as picnics, parades, ceremonies, and performances; Nile Shrine buildings and grounds; Shriners' hospital; group trips; includes a shot of the mascot camel, and a group of Shriners in front of the Tacoma Hotel.

    Dates: circa 1908-1990s
    Container: Box 1
  • Description: Photographs - prints and negatives

    Member portraits and officer group portraits, clubhouse grounds, Nile Temple Bands, the Imperial Council, various ceremonies and events, "Bess the horse," and "The Original Nile Smile" (Noble J. E. Chilberg).

    Dates: circa 1899-1981
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Photographs - prints and negatives

    Member and officer portraits; group portraits of officers, bands, clubs, and other subgroups; Nile Shrine Temple buildings and grounds; ceremonies and social events; parades and performances; includes the 1912 Pilgrimage of Nile Temple.

    Dates: circa 1908-1990s
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Photographs - prints and negatives

    Group portraits, officer portraits, Nile Shrine bands, and other

    Dates: circa 1925-1970s
    Container: Box 4

  • Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s

    These boxes are missing but were probably emptied when rolled photographs were flattened and moved into panorama folders.

    Access restricted to boxes 5 and 6 until the collection is processed: these contain rolled photographs which require preservation attention.

    Group portraits of Nile Shriners: Nile Patrol, bands, chanters, etc.

    • Description: Panorama of 45th Annual session of the Imperial Council A.A.O.N.M.S.
      Bretzmann, Indianapolis

      Seattle Nile Temple band in front row.

      Dates: June 10-12, 1919
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P1
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Nile Shrine temple band A.A.O.N.M.S., Seattle (145)
      Bretzmann, Indianapolis (photographer)

      Posed in street near King Street Station. Drum has image of Chief Seattle in a Shriners fez.

      Written on image: 145.

      Dates: June 3, 1919
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P2
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Seattle Nile Shriners in front of U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C.
      Schutz (photographer)

      Written on verso of duplicate print: Patrol, Band, and chanters of Nile Temple at Wahsington D.C.

      Written on image: Schutz 2787 Official Photo, 613 14th St.

      Dates: June 5-7, 1923
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P3
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of 55th annual session of the Imperial Council A.A.O.N.M.S., Los Angeles (Keystone S-79)
      Keystone, Los Angeles (photographer)

      Shriners from Afifi temple in Tacoma, WA.

      Dates: 1929
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P4
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of 63rd Imperial Council of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America, Detroit, MI
      Spencer & Wyckoff, Detroit (photographer)
      Dates: June 21-24, 1937
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P5
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of 13th Annual Washington State Conclave, De Molay, Everett, WA
      Juleen, Everett, WA (photographer)

      De Molay is an international fraternal organization for young men ages 12-21.

      Dates: August 28, 1937
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P6
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of 64th annual session of the Imperial Council Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Los Angeles (Keystone S.H.-32)
      Keystone, Los Angeles

      Written on accompanying material removed from orignal frame: This picture of the 1938 Drill team and Associated unit taken in Los Angeles was presented to the Legion of Honor at a meeting on 19 May 1965 - By Post Commander Jack W[illeg] and Wally Peterson. [Illeg.]

      Accompanying list labelled LEGION OF HONOR, NILE TEMPLE-IMPERIAL SESSIONS, LOG ANGELES, JUNE 6-9-1938, HARRISON HART, POTENTATE. identifies all pictured members.

      Dates: June 6-9, 1938
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P7
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Pacific Northwest Shriners Convention, Brockton Point Oval, Stanley Park, Vancouver B.C.
      Sunday Photos (photographer)
      Dates: May 1942
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P8
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Nile Patrol, 76th Imperial Council session A.A.O.N.M.S., Los Angeles (Weaver 18655-4)
      Weaver, Los Angeles (photographer)
      Dates: June 19-23, 1950
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P9
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Nile Legion of Honor, 76th Imperial Council session A.A.O.N.M.S., Los Angeles (Weaver 18655-6)
      Weaver, Los Angeles (photographer)
      Dates: June 19-23, 1950
      Container: Mapcase M272, Item P10
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of group of Nile Shriners in St. Paul, MN

      Written on verso of duplicate: Taken in St. Paul in 1914 on way to Atlanta.

      Dates: 1914
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P11
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama from 41st Annual Session Imperial Council, A.A.O.N.M.S. , in front of Nile Temple Band and Drum & Bugle Corp storefront, Seattle
      Frank H. Nowell (photographer)

      Written on front: Capt. Geo. R. Drever.

      Dates: July 12-17, 1915
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P12
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Nile Patrol members in Fargo, ND
      Camera Craft, Minneapolis (photographer)
      Dates: June 6, 1919
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P13
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Seattle Nile Patrol members at Forty-fifth Annual Session of the Imperial Council, A.A.O.N.M.S., in Indianapolis, IN
      Bretzmann, Indianapolis (photographer)
      Dates: Jun 10-12, 1919
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P14
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Seattle Nile Shrine members including band
      Dates: between 1920 and 1935?
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P15
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Seattle Nile Temple Patrol in Tacoma (Shrine Photo No. 50)
      Richards Film Service., Tacoma (photographer)

      Caption on photo: Smile with the Nile.

      Dates: January 8, 1921
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P16
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Nile Patrol at Hotel Maryland, Pasadena
      Photo News Service, Pasadena (photographer)
      Dates: 1925
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P17
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Bethlehem Commandery No. 19 band members in Seattle, on way to convention in Denver
      Colorado Photo Co., Denver (photographer)

      Handwritten on photo: On way to Siloam Comdry. in Oak Park, Ill. May 22-June 1, 1926. Names handwritten below members in ink. Typed list of members affixed to front of photo.

      Dates: June 1926
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P18
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
    • Description: Panorama of Seattle Nile members at Fifty-fifth Annual Session of the Imperial Council A.A.O. N.M.S., Los Angeles (Keystone S-9)
      Keystone, Los Angeles (photographer)
      Dates: 1929
      Container: Mapcase M273, Item P19
      Location: Panoramic photographs, circa 1910s-1950s
  • Description: Photographs - prints

    "Emeritus Outer Guard" group portraits.

    Box missing but probably emptied when photographs moved to oversize folders.

    Dates: 1904-1909
    Container: Box:oversize 7
  • Description: Photographs - prints

    Nile Patrol (1912-1940), officers and other group portraits (1980s).

    Box missing but probably emptied when photographs moved to oversize folders.

    Dates: circa 1912-1940; circa 1980s
    Container: Box:oversize 8
  • Description: Photographs - prints

    Group portraits: Nile Patrol, Shriners' Moto Squadron, Chanters.

    Dates: 1982-1989
    Container: Box:oversize 9
  • Description: Miscellaneous photographic prints and textual materials
    Dates: circa 1930s-1980s
    Container: Box 10
  • Description: Photographs - slides
    Container: Box 11
  • Description: Original drawings and ephemera
    Dates: circa 1922-2000s
    Container: Box 12
  • Description: Photograph albums
    7 albums

    Includes an album of potenaires and a bridal party.

    Dates: 1982-1988
    Container: Box 13
  • Description: Photograph albums
    7 albums

    Parades, special events, community activities, etc.

    Dates: circa 1960-1991
    Container: Box 14
  • Description: Photograph albums
    7 albums

    Parades, special events, and group portraits.

    Dates: circa 1940s-1980s
    Container: Box 15
  • Description: Photograph albums
    3 albums

    Mostly group portraits.

    Dates: circa 1908-1997
    Container: Box 16
  • Description: Scrapbook and slides
    Dates: circa 1960s-1970s
    Container: Box 17
  • Description: not used
    Container: Package:oversize 18
  • Description: Panoramic photographs - group portraits
    Dates: circa 1915-1950
    Container: Mapcase M294
  • Description: Photo collages, poster, and original drawing
    Dates: 1999; undated
    Container: Folder E024 (Oversize folder 22)
  • Description: Group portraits; matted advertisement for event
    Container: Folder HT 955 (Folders 23-24)
  • Description: 16mm film: Ceremonial in Seattle Center
    Container: Reel Reel (not numbered)
  • Description: No box 19 (never existed)
  • Description: Framed photo of of Emeritus Outer Guard officer

    Man is wearing pin which says " C.D. Knight, Tyler St. John's Lodge No. 9, 1884-1904".

    Dates: circa 1904-1920
    Container: Box:oversize 20
  • Description: Travel - Alaska / Pacific Northwest
    5 Folders in chronological order

    Parades, ceremonial events, landscape, fire disaster and group portraits.

    Dates: circa 1910-1990s
    Container: Box 21

  • Travel

    • Asia

      • Description: Group photo in Shanghai
        Dates: circa 1910
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 1
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Group photo at a dinner event
        Dates: 1922
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 2
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Member in Oriental garb with pipe
        Dates: circa 1920
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 3-4
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Men in Commodore dress with Flag, Philippines
        Dates: circa 1920
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 5-6
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Members seated in blackface
        Dates: circa 1910
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 7-8
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Fuji Shrine dinner in Yokohama, Japan
        Dates: 5 Feb 1937
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 9
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Guam Shrine Club ceremonial ball
        Dates: Nov 1949
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 10-12
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Shriner and doll - "Largest member and smallest member" w/poem on back
        Dates: circa 1930
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 13
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: American and Chinese Shriners at the Dragon Shrine, Hong Kong
        Dates: circa 1940
        Container: Box/Folder 22/1, Item 14
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Seattle PI article "Seattle Shrine to Dine with Injured G.I.'s in Tokyo
        Dates: 5 Nov 1950
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 1
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Nile Shrine in Japan & Hong Kong
        Dates: circa 1953
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 2-5
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Group photo in Taiwan
        Dates: circa 1953
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 6
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Frank Rosenquist and Hal Snyder in China
        Dates: 1954
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 7
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Group photos in China w/Freemasons
        Dates: circa 1945
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 8-10
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Santa visits Children in Yokohama
        Dates: Dec 1952
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 11
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Members w/Nile Temple Orient brochures
        Dates: circa 1950
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 12
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: "Torii Topics" pamphlet - Farewell luncheon for Noble Gen. Doyle O. Hickey in Yokahama, Japan
        Dates: Apr 1953
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 13-14
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: News release document - translation of Santa Claus visit in Yokohama story
        Dates: 24 Dec 1952
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 15
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Members visit to Hawaii and Pearl Harbor Memorial
        Dates: 1954
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 16-18
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Newspaper article "Nile Shriners arrive in Tokyo"
        Dates: 3 Nov 1953
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 19
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Chinese language articles on Nile Shrine visit in Wah Yat Po newspaper
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 22/2, Item 20-21
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Torii Oasis Shrine with Potentate H, Dan Brackens and Divan in Japan- Hospital visit
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 22/3, Item 1-10
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Torii Oasis Shrine with Potentate H, Dan Brackens and Divan in Japan - Shrine Ceremonial photos with military members
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 22/3, Item 15-20
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Torii Oasis Shrine with Potentate H, Dan Brackens and Divan in Japan - Visit with locals in the countryside
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 22/3, Item 21-25
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to the Dragon Oasis Shrine with Potentate H, Dan Brackens and Divan in Hong Kong
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 22/3, Item 26-36
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Kyoto, Japan - Group photos with military members
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 22/3, Item 37-41
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to the Bamboo Oasis Shrine in Manila, Philippines
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 22/3, Item 42-46
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Tokyo Ceremonial - Divan leaving on plane to Japan
        Dates: Nov 1955
        Container: Box/Folder 22/4, Item 1
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Tokyo Ceremonial - Divan arrival at Tokyo airport
        Dates: Nov 1955
        Container: Box/Folder 22/4, Item 2
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Tokyo Ceremonial - Potentate Leslie W. Eastman of the Nile Temple greeted by General L.L. Lemnitzer
        Dates: 9 Nov 1955
        Container: Box/Folder 22/4, Item 3-4
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Group photo at Charcoal Steak Dinner with the Saigon Oasis and Hiram Club in Dai Nam, Saigon, Vietnam
        Dates: 23 Dec 1958
        Container: Box/Folder 22/4, Item 5
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Manila, Philippines - Nile Shrine Potentate Bill Parker arriving at airport
        Dates: 1965
        Container: Box/Folder 22/5, Item 1
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Pilgrimage to Manila, Philippines - Nile Shrine Potentate Bill Parker in parade car
        Dates: 1965
        Container: Box/Folder 22/5, Item 2
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Nile Shriner with local women in Taipai, Taiwan
        Dates: 10 Jul 1976
        Container: Box/Folder 22/5, Item 3
        Location: Travel / Asia
      • Description: Potentate Edgar R. Davidson in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taipei
        Dates: 1989
        Container: Box/Folder 22/5, Item 4-26
        Location: Travel / Asia

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America. Nile Temple (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs


2009 (Last modified: 2/16/2024)

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