7 results for: Seattle Potlatch Festivals
Potlatch pin, ca. 1911-1914
This pin depicts the Potlatch “Bug,” the official emblem for the Golden Potlatch, a city-wide festival first held in July of 1911. It was organized by civic boosters who were hoping to capitalize on the success of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909. The organizers called themselves the Tilikums of Elttaes (Tilikum is "Friends" in Chinook Jargon; Elttaes is Seattle spelled…
ID Number:1962.2652.8
Date:Circa 1911-1914
Souvenir pennant of the Golden Potlatch, 1911
The Golden Potlatch was a city-wide festival first held in July of 1911. It was organized by civic boosters who were hoping to capitalize on the success of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909. The event continued for each of the next three summers before being suspended during wartime, and then was started up again as the Potlatch Festival from 1934…
ID Number:1963.3029
Date:1911
Noisemaker cane, ca. 1911-1941
During the early Seattle Potlatches, many of these canes were used by the celebrants. A tablet the size of an aspirin made of a strong explosive was put in the iron slot at the bottom and when it was thumped on the sidewalk, a very loud explosion occurred. These noisemakers unfortunately burned women's ankles from the flash so they were…
ID Number:1966.3878.63
Date:Circa 1911-1941
Painted ceramic Potlatch "Bug" souvenir, ca. 1911
This Potlatch “Bug” is a souvenir of the Golden Potlatch, a city-wide festival first held in July of 1911. It was organized by civic boosters who were hoping to capitalize on the success of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909. The organizers called themselves the Tilikums of Elttaes (Tilikum is "Friends" in Chinook Jargon; Elttaes is Seattle spelled backward). They were…
ID Number:1972.5567.46
Date:1911
Souvenir pennant from the Seattle Tilikum Potlatch, 1914
The Golden Potlatch was a city-wide festival first held in July of 1911. It was organized by civic boosters who were hoping to capitalize on the success of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909. The organizers called themselves the Tilikums of Elttaes (Tilikum is "Friends" in Chinook Jargon; Elttaes is Seattle spelled backward). They were a fraternal, civic organization composed primarily…
ID Number:1980.7094.317
Date:1914
Seattle Golden Potlatch banner, ca. 1911-1940
Seattle's first Golden Potlatch was celebrated in 1911. Its organizers, a group of prominent businessmen, wanted to promote the city in hopes of continuing the boomtimes of the Gold Rush, and the attention drawn by the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. They expected the festival to rival New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Portland's Rose Festival. For a week, residents and visitors enjoyed…
ID Number:2003.9.50
Date:1911-1940
Token coin, "Tyee 1913 Klahowya! Potlatch, Seattle" made by Mayer Bros. Makers
This token is from the Seattle "Potlatch" of 1913 and made by the Mayer Bros., prominent Seattle jewelry maker. "Klahowya" means "Welcome" in Chinook jargon and “Tyee” means chief or an important person. The name "Golden Potlatch" appropriates a Chinook Jargon word describing a Native ceremony celebration and gift giving. It also reflects the importance of the Klondike Gold Rush…
ID Number:2016.34.1
Date:1913