Home Colony was one of a group of socialist communities established in the Pacific Northwest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The colony founders, Oliver Verity, George H. Allen, and B.F. Odell, incorporated the colony as the Mutual Home Association in 1898 for “members in obtaining and building homes for themselves and to aid in establishing better moral and social conditions.” The Home Colony site was on Von Geldern Cove, ten miles northwest of Steilacoom in Pierce County, Washington. In 1901, 23 men, 22 women and 36 children resided in the community. Each family received a two acre holding to build and maintain a home. The school house was a wood structure located near the water.
Home Colony attracted famous visitors such as Emma Goldman, a lecturer of anarchist philosophy, and the author Elbert Hubbard. The colony published the newspapers
Photographs of individuals and groups of colonists in outdoor settings at the Home Colony site.
The collection is open to the public.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Donated by G. Muirhead.
Processed by Diane Burant; 2009
From accompanying material: Group: Jack Adams (son of J.W. on far right). Woman next to him possibly a sister of George Allen
On verso: Allen Family. Grace and Sylvia (mother in back). Glennis, Georgie and Leila in front.
From accompanying material: l. to r.: Harry (Henry) Dadisman, Martin V. Dadisman, Mrs. Dadisman. Harry Dadisman was the son of Martin by a previous marriage. Mr. David Dadisman referred to his half-brother as "Harry", Muirhead referred to "Henry".
From accompanying material: George O'Dell? Muirhead identifies two pictures: "George O'Dell back of father's house" Muirhead describes George O'Dell: "Only 13 years of age but looks 18. Shaves, fine trustful open countenance. Face very slightly pimpled. Strong built but soft looking, plays violin, dances, fine mellow voice." (Father a founder of Home)
From accompanying material: l. to r.: Charles L. Govan (later married Macie Verity), Mrs. Oliver Verity (?), Macie Verity ??, Oliver A. Verity, Kenneth Verity?
From accompanying material: could this be Oliver Verity? Mrs. Cook and Mr. Haiman though it looked like a Verity.
From accompanying material: Mr. And Mrs. Huber? Mr. and Mrs. Penhallow? Mr. Dadisman thought this could be Mr. and Mrs. Huber. Muirhead identified one of his pictures as "Mr. and Mrs. Herbert and Home." Mr. Haiman thought this could be Mattie and Tom Byrnes: however, at the time of Mrs. Muirhead's visit, Mattie Byrnes was Mattie Penhallow, married to Charles D. Penhallow. I find no indication that Muirhead photographed the Penhallows, but he described them. Mrs. Cook thought this could well be the Penhallows. Mrs. Evans thought it was the Penhallows.
From accompanying material: Mr. Muirhead wrote at some length of the school teacher, Mrs. Kelly, sister of Mr. O'Dell. "Widow about 40 or 50. Med. Height, strong build, very strong and prominent features but not big face...dark complexion, very dark eyes, hair cut shortish." (She appears from diary to be the only teacher, but David Dadisman referred immediately to the other teacher as his first teacher, Kate Cheyse. He made no mention of another teacher.)
From accompanying material: School children in front of first school house. Kenneth Verity; Macie Verity; Mable King? Glennis(?) Leila Allen
From accompanying material: Young school children in front of original school house. [identified adult] Miss Cheyse. [children] Bill Larkin (Myron Larkin?); Mrs. Cook and Mr. Haiman thought this #12 could be David Dadisman, though he did not identify himself.