WAUWernerAugustPHColl708.xml Guide to the August Werner Photograph Collection 1896-1962 Werner (August) Photograph Collection Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries © 2008 (Last modified: 5/1/2020)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard). University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections PH0708 Werner, August, 1893-1980 August Werner photograph collection 1896-1962 18 photographs, 1 postcard (1 box) Collection materials are in English. Images of University of Washington professor August Werner, his Leif Erikson statue, and a suite of photographs of Seattle and municipal Skagit River hydro-electric power projects

August Werner was born in Bergen, Norway on December 5, 1893. He received a B.S. from the College of Agriculture in Stend, Norway in 1913 and graduated from the Masters School of Music in New York in 1924. Werner performed as a baritone both in the United States and in Europe. He sang as a soloist with symphony orchestras, churches, and choirs. He also performed as an invited soloist at various special events. Werner was a professor in the School of Music at the University of Washington from 1931 to 1965. He taught voice lessons and participated in recitals and in University opera productions. Werner directed the Norwegian Male Chorus and the Norwegian Ladies Chorus in Seattle. He also directed the Chanters of the Nile Temple Shrine. In addition, Werner acted as Director in Chief of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers' Association.

Werner was also an artist. He painted landscapes of Norway and scenes from Norway's history. Two of his sculptures located in Seattle are a bust of Beethoven at the University of Washington and a cast-bronze statue of the Norse explorer, Leif Erikson, presented to the Port of Seattle by the Leif Erikson League on Norway Day, June 17, 1962, at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Governor Albert Rosellini, Mayor Gordon Clinton, Icelandic Consul Karl Fredrick, Norwegian Consul Christen Stand, and others spoke at the dedication of the statue. Werner directed the Norwegian Ladies Chorus and Norwegian Male Chorus at the ceremony. The twelve foot high Leif Erikson statue, which overlooks Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle was created by Werner in partnership with Trygve Nakkerud, John Engan, and Einer Stende. The four-foot maquette of the Leif Erikson statue is in the collection of the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington.

Werner was decorated by the King of Norway with the Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. He died in 1980.

The collection consists of images of University of Washington professor August Werner and photographs related to his Leif Erikson statue and its dedication at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. It also contains a series of images of Seattle and the Skagit River Power Project.

Collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Donor: Mrs. August Werner; received 1980.

Processed by Lew Guenther, 2005 and Linda Wagner, 2006.

Originally accessioned as PH2005-021.

Photographs were relocated from the August Werner Papers, Manuscript Coll. No. 2923, in the repository in 2005.

Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington) Leiv Eiriksson,  - approximately 1020--Statues--Photographs Werner, August, 1893-1980--Photographs Skagit River Hydroelectric Project--Photographs Shilshole Bay Marina (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs Skagit River (B.C. and Wash.)--Photographs Dams--Skagit River Region (B.C. and Wash.)--Photographs Norwegian Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Scandinavian Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Statues--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Outdoor Sculpture--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Baritones (Singers)--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs Sculptors--Washington (State)--Seattle| hotographs Photographs Photographs Fine Arts Public Utilities Washington (State) Colleges and Universities Seattle

 

Portraits 1 1 August Werner undated Apeda Studio, New York 1 2 Norwegian Crown Prince Olav, his wife the Princess Märtha, and their children including Prince Harald on his father's arm, New York 1939? Vang Studio 1 3 Man (probably August Werner) in office undated 1 4 Portrait of man in suit and bowtie 1918 Apeda Studio, New York

Dated and signed on front

 1 5 Group portrait 1896 Nielsen Studio

Sitter's names written on back; front stamped "Erindring" (Danish for "remembrance, reminiscence, keepsake")

 Leif Erikson Statue

The official dedication of the Leif Erikson statue was in conjunction with the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.

 2 6-7 Werner sculpting clay maquette of Leif Erikson statue circa 1960-1962 2 8 Leif Erikson statue clay maquette circa 1960-1962 2 9-10 Leif Erikson statue dedication, Shilshole Bay Marina, Seattle, Washington June 17, 1962 2 11 Werner and two men posing in front of Leif Erikson statue, Shilshole Bay Marina, Seattle, Washington June 17, 1962 Public Relations Office, Port of Seattle, Washington 2 12 Leif Erikson statue, Shilshole Bay Marina, Seattle, Washington June 17, 1962 Public Relations Office, Port of Seattle, Washington 2 13 Governor Albert D. Rosellini postcard signed by governor on verso 1962?

Postcard was probably received at Erikson statue dedication on June 17, 1962, where the governor spoke.

 Skagit River Power Project Photographs Suite

These photographs comprise a set that was originally presented to the Norwegian Royal Party as a gift from the City of Seattle. While only one photograph is signed by the photographer, Asahel Curtis, strong stylistic similarities among the photographs indicate Curtis as the photographer of the entire suite.

 3 14 Seattle from Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, Washington circa 1938-1939 3 15 Smith Cove Terminals, Seattle, Washington circa 1938-1939 Asahel Curtis 3 16 Gorge Plant, Skagit River, Washington with Ross Mountain in background. circa 1938-1939 3 17 Diablo Dam, Lake, and Power House owned by Skagit Power Development, Washington circa 1938-1939 3 18 Skagit Basin Sunrise circa 1938-1939 : hand-colored 3 19 Colonial and Pyramid Peaks, Diablo Lake, Washington circa 1938-1939 4 20a-b Folder and list of images for the Skagit River Power Project photographs suite circa 1938-1939

Text on folder "To the Norwegian Royal Party from the City of Seattle."