Elbridge W. Merrill Photograph Collection, ca. 1897-1929
Scope and Contents
Photographs include Sitka, Tlingit Indian culture, Russian Orthodox Church and schools, ca. 1897-1929.
E. W. Merrill photographs are found in many Northwest collections, but original glass plates are located at the U.S. National Park Service and Sheldon Jackson College at Sitka. There are approximately 200 glass plates at the Park Service and about 900 at Sheldon Jackson.
In 1978, the National Park Service's Merrill collection was copied in a cooperative project with the Alaska State Library and Sheldon Jackson College. Prints and copy negatives from the glass plates are available at the Alaska State Library (PCA 57-1 to 157); reproductions can be obtained for educational purposes. NOTE: There are restrictions on use of some Tlingit Indian images (see list of sensitive views, Pages 3-5). Permission from the U.S. National Park Service in Sitka is required to reproduce these. Contact:
Sitka National Historical Park, U.S.N.P.S.
Box 738
Sitka, Alaska 99835
or call (907) 747-6281
A list of subject groups used by Merrill for arranging his glass plates is included in the guide to this collection (see Pages 6-7).
Views from #158 on are from various sources; negatives for these were made from the prints. Views #227-247 were copied from the originals owned by Joe Ashby of Sitka in 1988. Views 255-259 were acquired through a purchase via the Alaska State Museum, (Accession 2000-041) and have no provenance.
The photographs were originally organized by subject based upon Merrill's filing arrangement for the glass plates at the National Park Service. Specific details on Tlingit images were provided by Peter Corey (PC), curator, Sheldon Jackson Museum, in May 1993.
In 2007 the campus of the Sheldon Jackson College closed temporarily. At that time the original glass plates held by the college were moved for safe storage at the Sitka National Historical Park. A finding guide, with reference images from those plates, was put on file with the Alaska State Library. The guide is shelved with PCA 57 and may be viewed by the public.
Dates
- circa 1897-1929
EAD
PCA0057Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for viewing, however, the photographs may not be photocopied.
Conditions Governing Use
There are restrictions on use of some Tlingit Indian images. Permission from the U.S. National Park Service in Sitka is required to reproduce these. Contact:
Sitka National Historical Park, U.S.N.P.S.
Box 738
Sitka, Alaska 99835
or call (907) 747-6281
Biographical / Historical
Elbridge Warren Merrill was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 23, 1868. He worked as a newspaper photographer there before coming to Alaska. In 1897, attracted by the Klondike gold rush, Merrill, Major E. S. Flowers and Henry Woodruff purchased a vessel in Seattle and sailed to Alaska. Merrill stayed in Sitka for most of the rest of his life.
Merrill's work as a photographer reflected his interest in natural history, anthropology and ethnology. The customs and art of the Tlingit Indians were the subject of many of Merrill's photographs.
He also worked on the restoration of totem poles shown at the St. Louis World's Fair, and was later in charge of erecting them in the Sitka Totem Park (founded in 1890 and later the Sitka National Historical Park under the U.S. National Park Service).
Elbridge Merrill died in Sitka on October 27, 1929, of pneumonia. His eulogy, by James Condit, president of Sheldon Jackson College, was printed in the Alaska Weekly on November 22, 1929:
"In the death of Elbridge Warren Merrill, Sitka, Alaska and all interested in Alaska have lost a loyal friend..He was first of all an artist. For years he devoted himself to the portrayal of the natural beauty of the section of Alaska in which his life was passed. He accomplished this through the medium of photography, developed to the highest degree of artistic perfection..A few years ago a nationally known magazine contained an article by Barrett Willoughby in which he was designated as 'The Father of Pictures.' He was a scholar. His reputation extended to many scientific institutions..The old pioneers will miss him..The natives will miss him..The children will miss him..The casual visitor will miss him. No truer friend of the Tlingit existed for he knew them and understood their customs and modes of thought..He made the world more beautiful by living in it and lifted lives to a plane which without his discernment would have been un-enlighted."
-- From E. W. MERRILL, SITKA'S FATHER OF PICTURES, Sheldon Jackson College, 1977?
Extent
259 Photographic Prints : Prints, copy negatives
Language of Materials
English
Existence and Location of Originals
In 1978, the National Park Service's Merrill collection was copied in a cooperative project with the Alaska State Library and Sheldon Jackson College. Prints and copy negatives from the glass plates are available at the Alaska State Library.
Views from #158 on are from various sources; negatives for these were made from the prints. Views #227-247 were copied from the originals owned by Joe Ashby of Sitka in 1988.
Existence and Location of Copies
Photographs digitized and available for viewing via Alaska's Digital Archives: 005, 016, 018-023, 025, 027-028, 030, 046-048, 090, 092, 150, 153, 155-156, 160, 169, 174, 188, 206, 210-211, 220, 222, 222-c2, 223-225, 228, 235-240, 249, 253-254
Subject Index
A. Class photos: 1-15
B. Potlatch: 16-34
C. Funerals: 35-39
D. Athletic team: 40
E. Orthodox Church Groups: 41-49
F. Miscellaneous special occasion: 50-55
G. Miscellaneous groups: 56-57
H. Totem poles: 58-69
I. Baskets: 70-85, 91
J. Chilkat robes: 86-90, 92-93
K. Miscellaneous Native Artifacts: Rattles, 94-98, 100, 105; Argellite carvings, 99, 101, 104, 106-107; Clubs 102, 108-109; Spears, 103; Beadwork, 110-121, 125; Sheldon Jackson Museum, 122-124, 127, 129-131, 134-135, 141
L. Russian Church: Icon, 133; Indian Village (Hookah?), 139-140; Guard By Blockhouse, 132; Back View of Russian Church, 138; Interior, 250
M. Interior Sitka scenes: Canoe building, 128; Sitka from water, 126, 143, 145, 252
N. Scenes outside Sitka: 142, 144
O. Tlingit Indians in Native dress: 137, 146-155
P. Interior of Merrill Studio: 156, 249
- Title
- Finding aid for the Elbridge W. Merrill Photograph Collection, ca. 1897-1929
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- ArchivesSpace Finding Aid by: Freya Anderson; Inventory added by Jack Kovaleski, August 2020
- Date
- 2020 August
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Alaska State Library - Historical Collections Finding Aids Repository
PO Box 110571
Juneau AK 99811-0571 US
907-465-2920
907-465-2925
907-465-2151 (Fax)
asl.historical@alaska.gov