Clay and Relta Cooke photograph and film collection, 1903-1964
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Clay and Relta Cooke photograph and film collection
- Dates
- 1903-1964 (inclusive)19031964
1918-1920 (bulk)19181920 - Quantity
-
1 folder (20 photographic prints)
1 reel of film (100 feet) : silent, color ; 8 mm - Collection Number
- PH0003
- Summary
- Views of Afognak, Alaska and vicinity including Clay and Relta Cooke and the Afognak school and a film of Indian women weaving in Mrs. Barber's weaving shop near Lummi Island in Washington State
- 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
-
Access to original photographs and film restricted. Contact Special Collections for more informaiton. Permission required for viewing.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Clay Cooke, born in 1893, and Relta Nichols Cooke, born in 1894, spent their early years in Bellingham, Washington. Following their marriage, the Cookes spent several years teaching for the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the island of Afognak, Alaska.
Historical Background
Afognak was an Alutiiq village on the southwest coast of Afognak Island in the Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska. The village was established sometime before 1839 by Russian and Alutiiq settlers, but was destroyed by a tsunami following the Good Friday earthquake in 1964. The Afognak survivors left the island following the tsunami and settled in the new village of Port Lions on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Currently, Afognak Island is listed as having no established communities.
Content Description
The photographs depict natives and landscapes in Alaska, mainly in Afognak, including scenes of Clay and Relta Cook at the Afognak school. The film depicts Ethel Barber's weaving shop near the ferry to Lummi Island, Washington, showing Indian women taught by Mrs. Barber weaving in the shop.
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.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Arranged in 3 series.
- Afognak, Alaska
- Alaska
- Film Barber Hand Weaving Shop on Lummi Island
Acquisition Information
Donor: Mary Jeanne Durfy, 1986
Processing Note
Processed by Marion Brown, 2008 ; Completed by Andrew Weaver, 2014.
Bibliography
Al Currier, "Local company rode cusp of '50s-era high fashion: Barber Hand Weaving began as a hobby by owners in the late 1920s," Bellingham Business Journal June 1, 2004.
Detailed Description of the Collection
-
Afognak, Alaska
-
Description: Afognak viewed from the water
On verso: "The village is divided into three parts: 'Aleut Town,' 'Russian-town' and 'Creole-town'. This is a view of 'Russian-town' from the water. We live in the third building from the left."
Dates: circa 1910Container: Item 1 -
Description: Home of Clay and Relta Cooke in AfognakDates: circa 1919Container: Item 2
-
Description: Native wedding in Afognak
Information from verso: The bride and groom are in the center of the photograph. Clay Cooke is at the center back and Father Gerasin in the back right.
Dates: 1919Container: Item 3 -
Dates: 1918Container: Item 4
-
Description: Four children with a sled outside the Afognak schoolDates: 1919Container: Item 5
-
Dates: 1918Container: Item 6
-
Dates: 1920Container: Item 7a
-
Description: Mr. and Mrs. Cooke standing in front of staff and school children, Afognak
On verso: "I ask you in all fairness!! Can you beat it?"
Dates: 1920Container: Item 7b -
Description: Group of buildings near or on Afognak islandDates: circa 1918-1920Container: Item 8
-
-
Alaska
These photos may be from Afognak
-
Description: Captain Arthur and Mrs. Parker standing on a boatDates: circa 1918-1920Container: Item 9
-
Description: Relta Cooke and others in a rowboatDates: circa 1918-1920Container: Item 10
-
Description: Billie and dog sled team in snowDates: circa 1918-1920Container: Item 11
-
Description: Clay Cooke and two Native AmericansDates: circa 1918-1920Container: Item 12
-
Description: Relta Cooke and a man standing outside a small building
On verso: "An Alaskan native barabara where we stayed all night while duck hunting. It is made of straw and drift wood."
Dates: circa 1918-1920Container: Item 13 -
Description: Clay Cooke carrying dead ducksDates: 1919Container: Item 14
-
Description: Clay Cooke holding up a small animalDates: circa 1918-1920Container: Item 15
-
Description: Woman and children outside a buildingDates: circa 1919Container: Item 16
-
Description: Buildings and beach in Cold Bay, AlaskaDates: 1919Container: Item 17
-
Description: Eight men and two women eating outside a tentDates: 1903Container: Item 18
-
Dates: 1964Container: Item 19
-
-
Film
-
Description: Barber Hand Weaving Shop on Lummi Island
Young women model skirts and dresses of various patterns and designs outside. Young boy plays with a water bucket next to a tall woven basket. Sunset over Lummi Island. Ducks swimming. Same young boy plays with a stick in the sand. Fabric is displayed outside on a line.
From note with film: This color film was taken during the summer of 1948 (1949?) at Ethyl Barber's weaving shop near the ferry to Lummi Island. None of the Indian girls that appear in the film are identifiable, although one of them was proclaimed to be a princess in the Lummi Tribe. [One of the girls has now been identified by her niece as Verla Kinley, Lummi. - January 2024].
Four other persons appear in the film, the older lady is Mrs. Barber, the other two ladies are Mary Jeanne Durfy and Donna Swangerg (of the darker hair), the man appearing is C. W. Swanberg, a commercial artist residing on Vashon island.
Mrs. Barber designed the patterns in the cloth and taught the girls to do the weaving. During the period we were at the shop, she had about 6 looms. Mrs. Barber's husband built the looms.
Making the films was an exceptional opportunity since the designs and patterns were quite well protected, and Mrs. Barber was very careful of whom she let see the unsold work. February 27, 1986, Mrs. H.A. Durfy
Original1 reel (100 feet) : silent, color ; 8mm
Dates: circa 1949Container: Viewcopy VC93, Item 1
-
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Off-reservation boarding schools--Photographs
- Students--Alaska--Afognak--Photographs
- Teachers--Alaska--Afognak--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Cooke, Clay--Photographs
- Cooke, Relta--Photographs
Geographical Names
- Afognak (Alaska)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs
