The first Founders' Day Ball took place on November 13, 1911, on the 60th anniversary of the Denny Party landing at Alki beach. From its inception the event was a historical costume ball, hosted by Emily and Morgan Carkeek at their First Hill mansion. Guests were asked to donate artifacts or documents related to Seattle history, which led to the establishment of the Seattle Historical Society (SHS) in 1914. After Emily Carkeek's death in 1926, SHS evolved from a private club into a more broadly-based civic organization. Beginning in 1945, the annual Founders' Day celebrations were public luncheons co-sponsored by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, SHS’s collection grew and in 1952 the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) was built in the Montlake neighborhood to house and display the collection.
This photo shows a group of Seattle women dressed in historical costumes at the Founders' Day Luncheon at the Carkeek mansion.
Handwritten on image: Mrs. Owens, Mrs. L., 1939
Caption information source: "Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)," by Alan J. Stein, HistoryLink.org Essay 3682
ID Number: 2008.3.1.45.10
Date: 1939
Physical Description: 1 photographic print mounted on paper : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv42429
Credit: MOHAI, Seattle Historical Society Founders' Day Photograph Collection, 2008.3.1.45.10
