Joe Karpen (June 6, 1950-) was born and raised in Long Island, NY. His parents were Morris and Leah Karpen. Joe Karpen was a student at the University of Washington in the late 1960s and early 1970s where he earned degrees in mathematics and oceanography. During his time at UW, Karpen was a photographer for The Daily newspaper and the TYEE yearbook where among the subjects he photographed protests and demonstrations that took place on campus and throughout Seattle. In his senior year at UW, Karpen decided to continue photography as a hobby, rather than a vocation. Karpen also earned degrees in meteorology from MIT and in engineering from North Carolina State University.
Karpen worked in design, programming, and oceanographic field work for an engineering firm in Raleigh, North Carolina for seven years. After that, he worked at Karpen Steel, the family door manufacturing business started in North Carolina by Morris Karpen. Karpen worked as Operations Manager at Karpen Steel for over 20 years until his retirement in 2005.
Karpen’s first experience with photography was learning to develop film at summer camp when he was 8. His first camera was a Kodak folding camera. In high school, Karpen was a photographer for the school newspaper and yearbook. During that time, he used a Canon Rangefinder camera. He bought his first Leica camera in 1968.
At the University of Washington, Karpen became involved as a photographer for The Daily and TYEE yearbook in his first year. Karpen said that he always had a camera with him. As a photographer, he was always an observer, watching, but not being part of what was happening. The photography advisor at UW, Dick Conrad, guided and encouraged Karpen and the rest of the staff to experiment. Karpen never took any formal photography classes but did audit a studio class for art students one semester.
During his time at UW, Karpen made nearly all of his photographs in black and white using Tri-X film which was exposed at ASA 640 and overdeveloped to add contrast. He and other photography staff used 100-foot rolls of film which they rolled themselves. With the Seattle weather, a light meter was not needed. Karpen kept the aperture setting at f11 and shutter speed at 1/125 unless the sun was out.
Karpen’s current photographic interests are contemporary dance and travel. He still uses Tri-X film which he develops and prints himself. He has added several film cameras to his photography equipment including a Leica M-6, a Canon underwater camera and a Pentax SLR, as well as a 28mm lens.
Photographic prints, negatives, and color slides made by the
photographer while at the University of Washington. Many of the photographs
record the protests happening on the campus and in Seattle. There are also
scenes of campus life, sports, residence halls, sororities and fraternities,
student groups and events, oceanographic cruises, etc. Many of the photographs
taken by Karpen were for the
Items represent contact sheets of negatives, showing multiple images. Individual images are denoted by a frame number following the item number (e.g. 27F35 denotes frame 35 of contact sheet 27).
Selected images can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Creator's copyright transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Donor: Joe Karpen, November 19, 2009, September 5, 2019, September 24, 2019, and October 23, 2019.
Processed by Kelly Omodt, 2018. Additional processing and revision by Kate Norgon, 2020.
Written on accompanying material: The Cage - a squalid place in the lower levels of the HUB where signs are made.
The students pictured attended science classes to earn a Pulp and Paper Technology degree offered by the University of Washington through the College of Forestry.
Views include a display case, Associate Dean Louis Fischer's office, and a pharmaceutical chemistry laboratory.
The UW College of Fisheries was opened in 1919.
Faculty members in meeting include Charles Odegaard and Faculty Senate Chairman Vernon Carstensen.
Odegaard Undergraduate Library opened in 1972.
Karpen took these photographs of campus dormitory residents for the UW yearbook. A House was two floors of a dormitory.
The residents of these houses got together for an event where students finger painted on covered walls and each other.
Image on frame 35 of contact sheet 27.
Fraternity member pictured with beer in Sylvan Grove and sitting on steps outside of building with a lion statue.
Greek Life frames located with Item 278 in UW Oceanography series.
Prints of individual images. No corresponding negatives or contact sheets in collection.
Prints of individual images. No corresponding negatives or contact sheets in collection.
Image on frame 22 of contact sheet 55.
Image on frame 27 of contact sheet 57.
Crew images located with Item 264 in Construction Sites, Campus Buildings, and Street Views series.
Print of individual image. No corresponding negative or contact sheet in collection.
Crew images located with Item 126 in Concerts, Carnivals, and Dances subseries.
Crew images located with Item 95b in Track and Field subseries.
Image on frame 28 of contact sheet 71.
Gymnast in Frames 32-34 named Sho Fukushima.
Soccer images located with Item 88 in Rugby subseries.
Soccer images located with Item 89 in Rugby subseries.
Jim Seymour taking the baton from teammate Kim Hoelting.
Print of individual image. No corresponding negative or contact sheet in collection.
The Sundodgers was a men's rally and spirit group at the University of Washington. The name Sundodgers came from the UW mascot from 1920-1922 that preceded the Husky dog. On October 23, 1968, the men's individual road race for cycling took place as part of the Summer Olympics. The photographer described these photographs as a "stunt for bicycle marathon."
Mortar Board is a certified national honor society recognizing college seniors for their exemplary scholarship, leadership and service. Founded in 1909, the Tolo Chapter of Mortar Board is the oldest continuing honor society on the University of Washington campus.
The Brigadears was a women's organization that supported and hosted events for the ROTC program.
Brigadears images located with Item 114 in Art Shows subseries.
"Go" is a two player Japanese board game of strategy in which one player attempts to capture more surrounding territory than their opponent.
International Fortnight was two-week long event hosted by the People-to-People organization. This organization was first created by President Eisenhower in 1956 to promote better understanding between international people and cultures. The UW student group would hold events to highlight different cultures throughout the academic year.
Publicity shots advertising Women's Day, an event sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) Women's Commission.
The Orientation Commission organized activities for incoming students.
The HUB Advisory Board provided input about the management of the Husky Union Building (HUB).
"Las Vegas Night" was known as the biggest University function of the year, where students could roll dice, listen to jazz, or just enjoy the casino atmosphere.
The panel was an event sponsored by the People-to-People organization discussing the Nigerian Civil War that began in 1967.
Panel images located with Item 162 in Protests and Demonstrations series.
Parnassus is the name of the coffee shop located in the basement of the Art Building on campus.
The Spring Art Trap was an art show of paintings and sculptures created by UW students.
This show was sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU).
Print of individual image. No corresponding negative or contact sheet in collection.
Image on frame 7 of contact sheet 120.
Image on frame 32 of contact sheet 120.
Written on verso: Santana.
Image on frame 39 of contact sheet 120.
Written on accompanying material: Cathy's Weekend.
Female residents of DeVoe and Stevens House in Haggett Hall organized a dance and invited the male residents of Haggett Hall to attend, to "Bridge the Gap" between the two groups.
Carnival images located with Item 158 in Speakers subseries.
Carnival images located with Item 159 in Speakers subseries.
Carnival and concert images located with Item 77 in Football subseries.
Concert images located with Item 78 in Football subseries.
Image on frame 38 of contact sheet 124.
For more information on
Prints of individual images. No corresponding negatives or contact sheets in collection.
Garb Day was an annual event hosted by the College of Forestry, now the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS). It was an event that included lumberjack activities such as woodcutting and log rolling and other competitions, such as tug of war. Royalty were crowned for the event including the "Timber Queens" and "Ole, King of the Woods."
Image on frame 18 of contact sheet 130.
Image on frame 22 of contact sheet 130.
Image on frame 27 of contact sheet 130.
Image on frame 36 of contact sheet 130.
Image on frame 37 of contact sheet 130.
Image on frame 42 of contact sheet 130.
Garb Day images located with Item 126 in Concerts, Carnivals, and Dances subseries.
Garb Day images located with Item 62 in Crew subseries.
For more information on Richard Conrad image, see Item 131 in People series.
Image on frame 19 of contact sheet 134.
The Performance was a production of Theatre One.
A candlelight march protesting the Vietnam War was held on campus the same night as Bob Hope's performance. Karpen photographed both events and one frame was double exposed, combining the two events. Title of image: "Two Sides to the War"
Image on frame 33 of contact sheet 138.
Image on frame 26 of contact sheet 140.
For more information about Jan Shaw image, see Item 141 in People subseries.
Image on frame 19 of contact sheet 142.
Image on frame 34 of contact sheet 142.
Image on frame 38 of contact sheet 142.
Image on frame 21 of contact sheet 143.
Image on frame 12 of contact sheet 145.
Image on frame 40 of contact sheet 145.
Image on frame 43 of contact sheet 145.
Jerry Rubin was a member of the Chicago Seven, a group of radical activists who were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Rubin was invited to speak at the University of Washington while he awaited trial in an event that attracted an overflow crowd of around 4,000 people.
Image on frame 8 of contact sheet 149.
Image on frame 30 of contact sheet 153.
The Seattle 8 were eight people indicted after demonstrations at the Federal Courthouse in Seattle protesting the Chicago Conspiracy Trial. The Seattle 8 were tried in the case United States v. Marshall et al.
The Seattle 8 were eight people indicted after demonstrations at the Federal Courthouse in Seattle protesting the Chicago Conspiracy Trial. The Seattle 8 were tried in the case United States v. Marshall et al.
The Seattle 8 were eight people indicted after demonstrations at the Federal Courthouse in Seattle protesting the Chicago Conspiracy Trial. The Seattle 8 were tried in the case United States v. Marshall et al.
Image on frame 11 of contact sheet 160.
Image on frame 22 of contact sheet 160.
Image on frame 20 of contact sheet 160.
Image on frame 24 of contact sheet 160.
Image on frame 10 of contact sheet 160.
The grape boycott at UW was part of a nationwide boycott on grapes on behalf of the United Farm Workers Union. Members of the United Mexican American Students (UMAS), Black Student Union (BSU), and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) called for a boycott of food at the HUB unless they stopped selling grapes. This boycott was opposed by conservative groups on campus, including the Young Republicans. On this date, UW Vice-President Frederick P. Thiernet met with representatives from several groups with a stake in the boycott issue to discuss a comparatives sales study plan. Meanwhile, members of student groups on both sides of the issue held demonstrations outside the building.
The Young Republicans opposed the decision of the University of Washington to stop selling grapes at the HUB. This group held a demonstration and petitioned to have grapes restored on campus.
For more information about images of the Panel on Nigerian-Biafran War, see Item 162 in Student Events series.
This hearing likely involved examining the policies and procedures of campus police, in response to complaints.
Four University of Washington students were facing a hearing about whether or not they should be suspended for forcing a United Fruit Company representative off campus on February 24, 1969. SDS organized a rally in support of the students which featured Arthur Melville, a Catholic priest and former missionary in Guatemala, who spoke to the crowd about the United Fruit Company's presence in Guatemala before the crowd marched on Anderson Hall. When they got to the hall, they found the room full but some protesters forced their way into the building, which caused the hearing to be stopped and rescheduled.
Image on frame 9 of contact sheet 164.
Image on frame 28 of contact sheet 164.
Image on frame 34 of contact sheet 164.
After SDS protesters marched on Loew Hall and the crowd became disorderly, there was a hearing to decide disciplinary action.
The protest was in response to demands by teaching assistants for the creation of a grievance committee and representation for graduate students in faculty appointments.
In the wake of attacks on the Black Panther Party in Chicago and Los Angeles, people marched in Seattle in support of the Black Panthers.
Image on frame 14 of contact sheet 168.
Image on frame 17 of contact sheet 168.
Image on frame 21 of contact sheet 168.
Image on frame 24 of contact sheet 168.
The rally featured speakers including Dr. Koome of Renton, a physician willing to defy the anti-abortion law of the time.
MEChA, El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (The Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan) organized a demonstration picketing Spanish teaching assistant, Luis Larios, and the lack of disciplinary action taken when Larios admonished two Chicano students speaking their native language.
The Seattle Liberation Front was organized in January of 1970 by UW philosophy professor, Michael Lerner, as a left-leaning group, later disbanded in 1971. The SLF organized a protest known as "The Day After" at the Federal Court House in Seattle in response to the verdict of the Chicago Seven, a group of activists charged with conspiracy and inciting to riot at a protest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Five SLF members interrupted Dr. Henry Buechel's Economics 200 class to demand he talk about more important issues, such as the Vietnam War and the Chicago Seven, a group of activists charged with conspiracy and inciting to riot at a protest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Buechel and several students chased the protesters out of the classroom. The SLF organized a protest known as "The Day After" at the Federal Court House in Seattle in response to the verdict of the Chicago Seven.
Photograph taken during Black Student Union rally protesting UW relations with Brigham Young University.
Print of individual image. No corresponding negative or contact sheet in collection.
The protest involved a march through the streets and a rally at Volunteer Park.
The Campus Community Coalition for University Sponsored Child Care organized a protest march to demand the space and funds allocated for the military on campus be used instead to fund child care services. The protest involved a march on Clark Hall, headquarters of the ROTC program, and ended with a rally on the HUB lawn.
The Campus Community Coalition for University Sponsored Child Care organized a protest march to demand the space and funds allocated for the military on campus be used instead to fund child care services. The protest involved a march on Clark Hall, headquarters of the ROTC program, and ended with a rally on the HUB lawn.
Protesters images located with Item 77 in Football subseries.
The University of Washington hosted this large-scale event sponsored by the University Draft Resistance Union and the UW Department of Philosophy. Speakers included Hilary Putnam, a Harvard University philosophy professor and anti-draft activist; Tran Van Dinh, former South Vietnamese ambassador; Kathleen Cleaver, wife of Eldridge Cleaver, the Black Panther and Peace and Freedom Party's presidential candidate; George Murray, the Minister of Education for the Black Panther Party; and Arthur Melville, a Roman Catholic priest and missionary who worked in Guatemala.
Image on frame 12 of contact sheet 179.
Image on frame 20 of contact sheet 179.
Faculty and student groups held a march through campus to demonstrate their opposition to the Vietnam War, which took place on the eve of a nationwide demonstration known as "The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam."
This day marked the first Vietnam War Moratorium, a suspension of normal activities and a day of protest against United States involvement in the Vietnam War. In Seattle, more than 5,000 people marched along Fourth Avenue from the Seattle Public Library to Westlake Mall. There were speakers and a reading of the names of men from Washington State who had lost their lives in the war.
This day marked the second Vietnam War Moratorium, a suspension of normal activities and a day of protest against United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Large demonstrations took place in Washington D.C. and San Francisco. In Seattle, more than 3,000 people marched downtown, beginning at the Federal Courthouse and ending at the Federal Office building. The demonstration was mostly peaceful, however some protesters smashed windows and there were some altercations with the police.
Faculty and student groups held a march through campus to demonstrate their opposition to the Vietnam War, beginning at the HUB. Over 2,000 protesters stationed themselves along access routes to Hec Edmundson Pavilion, where Bob Hope was performing for the University of Washington's Homecoming Night event at the same time.
During this demonstration, some student protesters broke windows and overturned furniture at the ROTC building on campus. There was some fighting between ROTC students and protesters, but no injuries were reported.
Image on frame 20 of contact sheet 187.
Image on frame 29 of contact sheet 187.
Image on frame 5 of contact sheet 188.
Image on frame 19 of contact sheet 188.
Image on frame 14 of contact sheet 189.
Image on frame 34 of contact sheet 190.
Image on frame 9 of contact sheet 187.
Image on frame 36 of contact sheet 187.
Image on frame 40 of contact sheet 188.
Image on frame 42 of contact sheet 188.
Image on frame 34 of contact sheet 189.
Image on frame 30 of contact sheet 190.
Image on frame 18 of contact sheet 191.
Image on frame 29 of contact sheet 192.
Image on frame 16 of contact sheet 197.
Image on frame 20 of contact sheet 201.
Image on frame 38 of contact sheet 202.
Image on frame 41 of contact sheet 202.
The protest included speakers and the occupation of a campus building.
Six to seven thousand people attended the anti-ROTC rally. The protesters encountered a small group of military supporters on the steps of Savery Hall. State Attorney General Slade Gorton spoke at a smaller forum held at Rainier Vista, organized by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) and presented as an alternative to the SDS protest.
Image on frame 9 of contact sheet 208, roll 2.
Image on frame 11 of contact sheet 208, roll 2.
Cal Winslow pictured on right, holding sign.
Image on frame 42 of contact sheet 208, roll 2.
Image on frame 44 of contact sheet 208, roll 2.
The intent of the protest was to shut down the Career Planning and Placement Center located in Loew Hall. Protesters were met by anti-SDS students. Some protesters tried to block entry to Loew Hall. The protest was broken up due to rumors that police were on their way as well as escaped bees that were coincidentally on campus at the same time to be studied by entomologists.
Barbara Winslow pictured at left.
Image on frame 14 of contact sheet 209, roll 1.
Image on frame 24 of contact sheet 209, roll 1.
Image on frame 30 of contact sheet 209, roll 1.
Image on frame 24 of contact sheet 209, roll 2.
Image on frame 30 of contact sheet 209, roll 2.
Image on frame 33 of contact sheet 209, roll 2.
Image on frame 42 of contact sheet 209, roll 3.
Image on frame 2 of contact sheet 209, roll 3.
Image on frame 12 of contact sheet 209, roll 2.
Protesters carried picket signs and performed skits.
The churches pictured are those frequented by students, including Third Church of Christ Scientist, Campus Christian Ministry at the Westminster House, the Chapel of the University Christian Church, the University Baptist Church, and the University Congregational Church.
Written on accompanying material: Student Weekend.
Written on accompanying material: Cathy's Weekend.
The pie throwing event was part of the Air Force ROTC March of Dimes drive.
The boats were placed in the quad by the Yacht Club, and used in
a sailing demonstration in Frosh Pond. (Information from
For more information about photography staff images, see Item 225 in People series.
Student life images located with Item 291 in Women's Liberation Protest in New York City series.
Hubert Lindsey was a Southern Baptist minister known as "Holy Hubert." Lindsey was a street preacher and preached on college campuses during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly on the Berkeley campus in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Image on frame 22 of contact sheet 235.
Image on frame 43 of contact sheet 235.
Drumheller Fountain was also known as Frosh Pond.
See Garb Day subseries for more images of Drumheller Fountain.
Drumheller Fountain images located with Item 251c in Construction Sites, Campus Buildings, and Street View series.
Image on frame 43 of contact sheet 251c.
Drumheller Fountain images located with Item 254 in Construction Sites, Campus Buildings, and Street View series.
Image on frame 22 of contact sheet 236.
Drumheller Fountain images located with Item 162 in Protests and Demonstrations series.
In order to construct the Art and Architecture Pavilion in Drumheller Fountain, the fountain was drained. Then clear webbed plastic walls were used for the foundation to make the pavilion appear to be floating once the fountain was refilled. The pavilion was used as a stage for concerts, theatrical productions, and other events.
The construction in Drumheller Fountain extended down the Rainier Vista lawn.
Drumheller Fountain images located with Item 167 in Protests and Demonstrations series.
This event took place as part of a campus arts festival.
This event took place during an arts festival, at which time an Art and Architecture Pavilion was installed in the center of the fountain.
Drumheller Fountain images located with Item 61b in Crew subseries.
Terry D. Schmidt graduated from University of Washington in 1969 with a degree in Aerospace and Astronautics. Schmidt is pictured in some frames with a pipe.
Jack Metcalf was an alumnus of the University of Washington, accepted for early admission at the age of 16 but interrupted by a short term in the army. In 1966 he returned to UW for post-graduate work. He served as a Republican member of the Washington State House of Representatives from 1960-1964 and then in the Washington State Senate from 1968-1974 and 1980-1992.
Princess Irene informally toured the United States during the year 1969. During her tour she performed with the Seattle Concert Symphony and visited UW campus to listen to students' musical performances. The princess retired to Spain and in 2018 formally became a Spanish citizen, giving up her Greek nationality.
Jan Shaw was a photographer for the
Jan Shaw images located with Item 141 in San Francisco Mime Troupe subseries.
Photography staff images located with Item 218 in Student Life series.
Saul Alinsky was an American community organizer and writer, often noted for his book, "Rule for Radicals." Some of his ideas were adopted by university students and counter-culture organizers.
Southland was possibly affiliated with the Open Door Clinic, a free clinic that operated in the University District from 1967 to 1980.
Joe Karpen images located with Item 41 in Greek Life series.
Photography director Dick Conrad pictured in Frame 40.
Photography staff images located with Item 225 in Student Life series.
UW yearbook staff members pictured are Betsy Trainor (Frames 25-30) and Mary Ann Hoffman (Frames 31-32,35-36).
Publication staff images located with Item 278 in Oceanography series.
Joe Karpen pictured in Frame 39 in Photo Lab office, on 2nd floor of the Communications building. The camera with the long lens is a Leica M-4 with a visioflex housing and a 200 mm telephoto lens.
Photography staff pictures located with Item 126 in Concerts, Carnivals, and Dances subseries.
Richard "Dick" Conrad was photo advisor to both the
Richard Conrad images located with Item 131 in College of Forestry Garb Day subseries.
Spencer Howard images located with Item 148a in San Francisco Mime Troupe subseries.
Print of individual image. No corresponding negative or contact sheet in collection.
Print of individual image. No corresponding negative or contact sheet in collection.
Print of individual image. No corresponding negative or contact sheet in collection.
Partitions most likely put in place for construction.
The Forest Sciences Building was later renamed Bloedel Hall. Schmitz Hall replaced Gerberding Hall as the administration building.
Gerberding Hall used to be the administration building on the UW Seattle campus, until Schmitz Hall was built as the new administration building.
Buildings pictured include Mercer Hall (Frames 3-11) and the Applied Physics Laboratory (Frames 12-13).
One of the buildings pictured is Dante's Tavern, which stood on Roosevelt Way NE and 53rd St.
Notes from accompanying material: Cathy's Weekend.
Construction images located with Item 216 in Student Life series.
Image on frame 9 of contact sheet 168.
Construction and University District images located with Item 8 in Academic Life series.
Construction images located with Item 118 in Art Shows subseries.
Image on frame 34 of contact sheet 264.
Construction images located with Item 221 in Student Life series.
Construction and campus building images located with Item 222 in Student Life series.
Construction images located with Item 223 in Student Life series.
Construction images located with Item 224 in Student Life series.
Construction and campus building images located with Item 44 in Basketball subseries.
Construction images located with Item 291 in Women's Liberation Protest in New York City series.
Construction and campus building images located with Item 228 in Student Life series.
Construction images located with Item 242 in Drumheller Fountain series.
Construction images located with Item 232 in Student Life series.
Construction and street view images located with Item 233 in Student Life series.
Construction images located with Item 74 in Football subseries.
Construction images located with Item 11 in Academic Life series.
Construction images located with Item 178 in Protests and Demonstrations series.
Construction and campus building images located with Item 157 in Speakers subseries.
Brick towers visible on right and statue outside of Suzzallo Library in foreground on left.
Image on frame 27 of contact sheet 157.
Construction images located with Item 50 in Basketball subseries.
Written on accompanying material: Oceanographic cruise aboard Thomas [G]. Thompson (AGOR9) in the Bering Sea. The general area of cruise was on western side. We went as close as possible to Russian coast. Collected water samples, also tracked drift buoys.
Written on accompanying material: Oceanographic cruise aboard USCG icebreaker Westwind...The general area of cruise was near Thule. Collected water samples and placed current meters.
Image on frame 42 of contact sheet 277.
For more information about publication staff images, see Item 278 in People series.
Over 150 high school students from Washington and Canada attended the Editor's Workshop held at the University of Washington from June 17-20, 1970. This four-day workshop consisted of lectures and group discussions about methods and processes to use as journalists. The students also gained practical experience by producing their own paper during the course of the workshop. Some of the photographs taken by Joe Karpen were featured in this publication, entitled "New Direction."
Scenes of Interstate 5 (I-5), the University District, and UW-Seattle campus, as well as self-portraits of Joe Karpen.