The collection contains one album of photographs, clippings, and handwritten captions documenting the lives of Edith and Virgil Morgan, employees of Eastern State Hospital, Medical Lake, Washington. Assembled by Edith Morgan, the album includes the couple's wedding portrait, images of her beauty parlor in the hospital, and photographs of staff events, co-workers, modeled hairstyles, and the hospital's buildings and grounds. The album also contains photographs of her brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Dorothy Ettlich, and her nephews, Ernest and William. Also included are two beauty school certificates and obituaries of Edith Morgan's brother. The album was probably assembled later in her life, as the nostalgic tone of the inscriptions suggests.
Eastern State Hospital opened in 1888 as Eastern Washington Hospital for the Insane in Medical Lake, twenty miles southwest of Spokane, Washington.
Collection is open to the public.
Source: Fairlook Antiques, Seattle, Washington, 2003.
Processed by Nicolette Bromberg and Sarah Nelson. The original album has been disbound, but pages are arranged in their original order.
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Caption: "Mr. & Mrs. Virgil D. Morgan 'Deedee & Virge' November 16th 1921."
Caption: "A Portrait of 'Kingpin Virge' with photos of his 'Princess Deedee' Nov. 1924."
Caption: "A group of our friends and coworkers at Eastern State Hospital, Medical Lake, Wash. 1937 thru 1942."
Caption: "Deedee busily engaged in her occupational therapy work. These were rewarding and satisfying days."
The first article begins, “Down in the basement under Ward A, Mrs. V. Morgan holds sway in her up-to-date Beauty Shop. With nearly 800 prospective customers, she never has to worry about a business slump.”
Caption: "Those of us who rated quarters here were lucky."
Caption: "Virgil was charge attendant on Ward One, which covered the entire first floor."
Caption: "Beauty shop located in lower end of basement."
Caption: "This area was for sitting out and relaxing in the fresh air and sunshine."
Caption: "Helen R. in front of Pts. Dining room. She also was one of my assistants in the Beauty Shop."
Caption: "Ruth and Deedee headed for the chow lines."
Fred Ettlich was Edith's brother.
Caption: "Doty and Fred with their little new pride and joy [William Ettlich b. Jan. 7, 1936].
Ernest Ettlich was born Nov. 11, 1937.
Fred Ettlich was Edith Morgan’s brother.
Caption: "So wonderful having our dear Fred back with us again and he was so happy being home with his Dorothy and boys. We took several pictures, but I gave most of mine to Ernie, those with Fred, Dorothy and boys together—so do not have them to paste in now. Yes, indeed, Doty was home too and so thrilled and happy. She fried chicken and made so many goodies that were favorites of Fred's and we all enjoyed too. Fred's leave was a happy time for all of us, but Doty and I weren’t so happy as we sat in the car the last night and watched the train pull away with Fred, curtains drawn and no lights on!! Such is the ravages of War!"
Caption: "Last photo of brother Fred—Taken with Bill and Ernie, May 31st, 1949 at Crow Point, Columbia River Highway, on way home from Milton—Freewater, Oregon."
Accompanying two newspaper obituaries on page with photograph: "Fred served with the Navy Seebees, in the South Pacific, about three years and then he was discharged and came home to be with and again live with his dear ones. He soon adjusted to home life and took up where he had left off. Worked on their place, painting and putting every thing in shape, as well as carrying on with his whole sale equipment business and taking time for his favorite sport fishing. He enjoyed taking his two young sons with him—when suddenly a career ended and Fred left the family again, as the following clippings relate."
Caption: "Time marches on. The boys are grown. Busy getting a good education and our Doty the same sweet efficient Mother."
Caption: "One day we decided we’d throw a feed together quickly and here we are with part of the table and some of the food showing—also the fancy news paper table cloth. Girl who was assigned the job of buying the table covering got busy!! and didn’t get out to buy it. Food was delicious and we had fun!"
Caption: "The next year I returned to Morse School of Beauty Culture and completed a full course of study in Permanent Waving."
Photograph missing.
Note explains that Virgil was a barber at the Grand Hotel Barber Shop. The photograph was taken in the early thirties.
Caption: "...Here we are set for a night out dining and dancing at The Grand Hotel. Virgil always insisted I pose for several pictures to be sure I'd get a good one..."
Caption: "My special girlfriends with their 'Deedee hair dos'..."