Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Ellsworth P. Storey papers, 1900-1939
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Storey, Ellsworth P.
- Title
- Ellsworth P. Storey papers
- Dates
- 1900-1939 (inclusive)19001939
- Quantity
- 0.19 cubic feet (1 box, 1 vertical file, and 1 oversize vertical file)
- Collection Number
- 0517
- Summary
- Papers of a pioneer Seattle architect
- 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
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Ellsworth Storey was a pioneer Seattle architect best known for combining local materials with contemporary and historical styles to create a regional architectural style, later called “regionalism," reflecting the Pacific Northwest. This practice became highly influential in the mid-late twentieth century.
Storey, born November 16, 1897, in Chicago, attended the University of Illinois for architecture where he was influenced by the Prairie School of Architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright. His architectural style was also influenced by his family’s tours of Europe and the Middle East, especially by Swiss Chalets. He moved to Seattle in 1903, taking on building his and his parent's houses as some of his first projects. Other early projects include the Francis G. Frink House (1906-1909), George W. Trimble House (1905-1906), Phiscator Estate (1907-1908, altered), George B. Barclay House (1907-1908), Hoo-Hoo House Lumberman’s Fraternity (1909), Sigma Nu Fraternity House (1915-1916), and Unitarian Church (1915-1916).
From 1912-1915 Storey built the Ellsworth Storey Cottages, a series of 12 cottages for rent alongside Colman Park and Lake Washington Blvd, that Victor Steinbeck called an "excellent example of charming design and fine detailing in a contemporary manner far in advance of its time. There is a fitting, almost indigenous quality in their simple wooden forms as they appear to ramble up the wooded hillside" in Seattle Cityscape, 1962. Storey’s later works began to include works grounded in the natural environment of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. During the Great Depression, in 1934, he built eight buildings for the Moran State Park facilities on Orcas Island including a twelve-story fire-watch tower on Mt. Constitution. Following this he took on projects for the Federal Housing Authority and U.S. Navy's Sand Point Naval Air Station, working with government agencies until 1955 when he retired.
Storey passed away May 28, 1960, while visiting his daughter Eunice in Ithaca, New York, and his ashes were spread over the Puget Sound.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Correspondence, drawings, notes, family photograph, inventory, receipts, bills, and ephemera.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Organized into 3 accessions.
- Accession No. 0517-001, Ellsworth P. Storey papers, 1900-1913
- Accession No. 0517-002, Ellsworth P. Storey papers, 1926-1931
- Accession No. 0517-003, Ellsworth P. Storey papers, 1920-1939
Related Materials
Ellsworth P. Storey photograph album , approximately 1899, contains Storey's travel photographs (PH Coll 2016-006).
Ellsworth P. Storey photography collection, 1904-1909 , contains photographs of residences designed by Storey (PH Coll 0336). A digital verison of the collection is available.
Ellsworth P. Storey architectural drawings collection contains architectural drawings from throughout his career (PH Coll 1247). Access to these materials may be available upon request. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Accession No. 0517-001: Ellsworth P. Storey papers, 1900-1913Return to Top
Scope and Content: Miscellaneous receipts, bills and some ephemera.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Copyrights retained by creator. Contact Special Collections for details.
Acquisition Info: Victor Steinbrueck, 1965-01-07
Description |
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Ellsworth P. Storey papers |
Accession No. 0517-002: Ellsworth P. Storey papers, 1926-1931Return to Top
Scope and Content: Specifications, typewritten inventory of University of Washington Special Collections Storey holdings.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Copyrights retained by creator. Contact Special Collections for details.
Acquisition Info: Victor Steinbrueck, 1981-07-21
Description |
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Ellsworth P. Storey papers |
Accession No. 0517-003: Ellsworth P. Storey papers, 1920-1939Return to Top
Scope and Content: Three letters from Ellsworth P. Storey to his daughter, Priscilla Chapman, and son-in-law from 1938-1939, as well as notes to Storey's daughter, two 1938 and 1939 drawings of Everett and a Washington Chalet that was never built, and one 1920s photograph of Ellsworth, wife Phoebe, and Priscilla Storey.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Copyrights retained by creator. Contact Special Collections for details.
Acquisition Info: Alice Speers, 2023-06-28
Description |
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Ellsworth P. Storey papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Architects--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Storey, Ellsworth P.--Archives
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Seattle Electric Company (creator)