August Werner photograph collection, 1896-1962

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Werner, August, 1893-1980
Title
August Werner photograph collection
Dates
1896-1962 (inclusive)
Quantity
18 photographs, 1 postcard (1 box)
Collection Number
PH0708
Summary
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
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

Collection is open to the public.

Additional Reference Guides

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

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.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

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.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

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

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donor: Mrs. August Werner; received 1980.

Processing Note

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.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

PortraitsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Folder item
1 1
August Werner
Apeda Studio, New York (photographer)
undated
1 2
Norwegian Crown Prince Olav, his wife the Princess Märtha, and their children including Prince Harald on his father's arm, New York
Vang Studio (photographer)
1939?
1 3 undated
1 4
Portrait of man in suit and bowtie
Apeda Studio, New York (photographer)
Dated and signed on front
1918
1 5
Group portrait
Nielsen Studio (photographer)
Sitter's names written on back; front stamped "Erindring" (Danish for "remembrance, reminiscence, keepsake")
1896

Leif Erikson StatueReturn to Top

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

Container(s) Description Dates
Folder item
2 6-7 circa 1960-1962
2 8
Leif Erikson statue clay maquette
circa 1960-1962
2 9-10 June 17, 1962
2 11
Werner and two men posing in front of Leif Erikson statue, Shilshole Bay Marina, Seattle, Washington
Public Relations Office, Port of Seattle, Washington (photographer)
June 17, 1962
2 12
Leif Erikson statue, Shilshole Bay Marina, Seattle, Washington
Public Relations Office, Port of Seattle, Washington (photographer)
June 17, 1962
2 13
Governor Albert D. Rosellini postcard signed by governor on verso
Postcard was probably received at Erikson statue dedication on June 17, 1962, where the governor spoke.
1962?

Skagit River Power Project Photographs SuiteReturn to Top

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.

Container(s) Description Dates
Folder item
3 14
Seattle from Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, Washington
circa 1938-1939
3 15
Smith Cove Terminals, Seattle, Washington
Asahel Curtis (photographer)
circa 1938-1939
3 16 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
: hand-colored
circa 1938-1939
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
Text on folder "To the Norwegian Royal Party from the City of Seattle."
circa 1938-1939

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Baritones (Singers)--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Dams--Skagit River Region (B.C. and Wash.)--Photographs
  • Norwegian Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Outdoor Sculpture--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Scandinavian Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Sculptors--Washington (State)--Seattle| hotographs
  • Statues--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Leiv Eiriksson,  - approximately 1020--Statues--Photographs
  • Werner, August, 1893-1980--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Skagit River Hydroelectric Project--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Shilshole Bay Marina (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
  • Skagit River (B.C. and Wash.)--Photographs