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.

Attendees of Founders' Day Balls would often dress in stereotypical imitation of traditional Native attire or in imitation of clothing worn by early white settlers to Washington. The appropriation of Native culture and dress by white settlers was one common example of discrimination and marginalization faced by Native peoples in the United States.

This photo shows a group of young Seattle women outside the Carkeek mansion at the first Founders' Day Ball in 1911. They are posing in redface costumes in imitation of Native Americans.

Identifications made in 1922 are attached to another copy of this image, 2008.3.1.46.61: 1.Olive Kerry; 2. Hazel Landes; 3. Constance Goodfellow (Mrs. Macdonald); 4. Guendolyn Carkeek (Mrs. Brennan); 5. Gladys Landes (wife of Cap J. Taylor); 6. Elise Schram (Mrs. Lambath); 7. Hortense Smith (Mrs. Fra Mason)

Caption information source: "Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)," by Alan J. Stein, HistoryLink.org Essay 3682